§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty which of the battleships and battle cruisers on the Navy List, other than His Majesty's Ships "Rodney," Nelson," and "Hood," have been modernised; what have been the main alterations effected; and what was the total approximate cost?
Mr. ALEXANDERSince 1918, nine battleships of the "Queen Elizabeth" and "Royal Sovereign" classes, and the battle cruisers "Renown" and "Repulse," have been modernised and the "Barham" is now in hand. The main alterations comprise addition of bulges, increase in anti-aircraft armament in some cases, improvements to bridges and tops, and improvements to ventilation and accommodation. Additional armour protection has been fitted in "Renown" and "Repulse." The estimated total cost of these items of modernisation, including "Barham," is approximately £2,870,000.