MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether Her Majesty's Government have considered the great increase in strength of Foreign Navies in the Mediterranean, and the consequent relative decrease in 349 strength of Her Majesty's Naval Force in that sea as compared with those Navies; whether they are prepared to assure the House that, notwithstanding this relative decrease of strength, Her Majesty's Force in the Mediterranean are now completely adequate for the protection of British interests and British naval stations in that sea, as well as for the maintenance there of British International engagements; whether they propose to lay down a new battleship to make good the loss of strength in Her Majesty's general naval force caused by the loss of the Victoria; and whether they will afford the House an early opportunity of discussing the condition and adequacy of the Navy as affected by recent events?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE,) Edinburgh, MidlothianIn answer to the hon. Member, I have to state that Her Majesty's Government are perfectly satisfied as to the adequacy and capacity of the British Navy to perform all the purposes for which it exists. Secondly, that the intention of the Government as to maintaining the number and force of vessels necessary for this purpose can only be considered in a fitting manner when they are brought forward as a whole by the organ of the Department and the attention of the House is fully and adequately directed to it. Thirdly, the Government have no intention of proposing a day, as suggested in the question.
* MR. GIBSON BOWLESWill the right hon. Gentleman say if he can give au answer to the last paragraph but one—as to the new battleships?
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONEI have answered that in saying that Her Majesty's Government cannot make any statement as to the maintenance of a number of vessels except in the manner I have described.