BRITISH NAVY ESTIMATES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 66, 11 December 1919, Page 7

BRITISH NAVY ESTIMATES

EXPENDITURE OF £157,500,000 By TaleeraDh—Ptcbj A«K>cla,lion-Ooi>rri[[lH (Rcc. December 20, 7.35 p.m.) London, December ii. Tli» Navy Estimates total J2157,500,000Afr. long, i'irst Lord of the .Admiralty, points out that a large proportion is for services prior to tlio armistice. Ho mentions that the situation in Ireland has necessitated tho employment of six destroyers, three sloops, mid six motorlain, clies in Irish waters. The clearance of tlio seas of mines has been accomplished well within the (scheduled time, anil the loss of lit'o in the mine-sweep-ing operations was only .6 per cent. Tho new Atlantic Fleet, compared with tho Grand Fleet, will consist of: Bar.tlo squ-atbons, two, compared with four; battle cruiser squadrons, one, compared with tivo; cruiser squadrons, nil, compared with two; flying squadron,, ono ship: light cruiser squadrons, two, compared with soveii; destroyer flotillas, four, compared with six; submarine flotillas, three, compared; with six. Two hundred and fifty-two thousand officers anil men had been demobilised.. Six hundred anil eleven ships had been cancelled out of 1005 ordered or in conrso of coi.fitruction. A total of 223 of His Majesty's ships were* lost in tho war, including thirteen battleships and tlireo ■ battle-cruisers, and, in addition, Sls auxiliary vessels were lost. Three million persons, and fifty million tons of goods wero transported by sea in wartime. Tho estimated expenditure on tlio new construction is =£25,000,000.—Ecutcr. THE ARMY ESTIMATES. fßec. December 10, 8.5 p.m.) London, Decomber !). In tlio Annv Estimates it is expected' that tho Army will bo reduced to 100,000 bv March, 1920. Tho expenditure for tho vear is estimated at JM05,000,000.— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.