The British naval budget according to the Dutch newspaper Het Vaderland morning edition dated 14 March 1925

A tiding dated London 13 March reported that the same day the naval budget for 1926 was published of totally 60,500,000 pound sterling which was an increase of 4,700,000 pound sterling. The First Lord of the Admiralty Bridgeman (1) explained in an attachment that 1,320,000 pound was necessary for strengthening the naval air force and 1,500,000 pound for unexpected expenses like the increase of the wages and prizes and the wastage of the war stores. There were none new warships planned just the accomplishment of the cruisers Emerald, Effingham and Enterprise and the submarines L 26 and L 27 and the continuation of the building of the battleships Rodney and Nelson, five cruisers of the Kent-class, minesweeper Adventure, destroyers Amazon and Ambuscade and the submarine Stone. This all was part for the programme in the coming years with as purpose to maintain the strength of the fleet and in which the replacement of the cruisers which were all ready aged or nearly aged.

Bridgeman also said that the cabinet would start the investigation which was by the former cabinet announced and which included proposals for new building. As soon as this research was ended was the Parliament informed. The budget also included funds to start again the activities at Singapore where the naval base was to become a necessary link in the communication chain between the British Dominions in the Pacific.

Note

1. William Clive Bridgeman, 1^st Viscount Bridgeman, (London 31 December 1864-Leigh manor, Shropshire 14 August 1935), member of the Conservative Party and First Lord of the Admiralty 7 November 1924- until 10 June 1929 when A.V. Alexander replaced him.