§ LORD CHARLES BERESFORD (Marylebone, E.)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he can inform the House if the Government have received information, corresponding with that given in The Times of November 23, as to the intention of the German Government to increase their maritime defence by building 28 men-of-war at a cost of about £6,000,000, 13 of which vessels are to be iron-clad battle-ships?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)No, Sir; we have received no official information on the subject. I have, however, seen a fuller report of the proposals in the Imperial Budget, which says that the expenditure 140 in question is to be spread over a period of 10 years, and the construction to be gradual.