§ MR. DARLING (Deptford)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, inasmuch as the Government accept the conclusions arrived at by the late Government as to the strength at which the Navy should be maintained, he will state when the Government propose to introduce the financial measures necessary to bring up the strength of the Navy to the point at which it stood immediately before the total loss of H.M.S. Victoria?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThe time has not come for making any statement. The Board of Admiralty are fully aware of the duty which rests upon them of maintaining the strength of the Navy.
§ MR. DARLINGMy question was not to the Board of Admiralty, who, I know, have admitted their responsibility. What I want to know of the First Lord of the Treasury is when the Government propose to introduce the necessary measures to give effect to the opinion of the Board of Admiralty?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHI have already stated that the time has not come for making an announcement.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask whether, in view of the fact that the Sultan, Howe, Camper-down, and Warspite are all unfit for service, that the Victoria has been lost, and that the Navy is thus below its complement by four battle-ships and one first-class cruiser, Her Majesty's Government propose to take any, and, if so, what, steps to cause the Navy to be brought up without delay to its proper strength?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHAll the necessary steps are being taken. The Sultan is under repair; the Howe will presently be finished, and the Camper-down will be immediately repaired; and, as I have stated, the responsibility rests on the Board of Admiralty, and they will discharge it.
§ MR. GOSCHEN (St. George's, Hanover Square)I desire to ask, but in no controversial spirit, whether there will be a Supplementary Estimate?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHI have already more than once indicated that the time has not come for making an announcement on the subject.