ADMIRAL MAYNE (Pembroke and Haverfordwest)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, before the discussion on the Shipbuilding Vote, he will inform the House what, if any, changes have taken place in the shipbuilding programme of other European Powers since the number of vessels of all classes required to make the British Navy equal to that of any two Foreign Powers was decided on; and, if so, whether provision is being made to maintain that proportionate superiority?
§ LORD G. HAMILTONThe projected additions to Foreign Navies do not disturb the calculations on which the shipbuilding programme embodied in the Naval Defence Act was framed, namely, that in 1894 the British Navy in fighting power will be equal to a combination of any two Navies abroad.
§ LORD G. HAMILTONIn the French and Russian Navies the following vessels have been commenced since the passing of the Naval Defence Act: in France, four coast defence ironclads, two armoured second-class cruisers, and one torpedo cruiser; in Russia, two ironclad battleships. On the other hand, in France the construction of one first-class ironclad projected last year has been abandoned; and in Russia two armoured cruisers and two sloops which were originally projected have disappeared from the programme.