§ Sir A. Southbyasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many cruisers and destroyers were laid down during each financial year from 1924 to 1931 and from 1935 to 1939?
Mr. AlexanderIt would not be in the public interest to give the numbers of cruisers and destroyers laid down in 1939. The figures for the years 1924 to 1931, inclusive, and 1935 to 1938, inclusive, are, however, as follow:
Financial Year. Cruisers. Destroyers. 1924 … … … 5 2 1925 … … … 4 — 1926 … … … 2 — 1927 … … … 3 — 1928 … … … 1 9 1929 … … … — 11 1930 … … … 1 5 1931 … … … 3 9 1935 … … … 5 11 1936 … … … 3 17 1937 … … … 9 17 1938 … … … 5 11