§ MR. YERBURGH (Chester)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what were the total number of battleships built and building in 1900 and in 1904, according to official returns for Great Britain and for France and Germany combined; and how many battleships there are now in commission away from European waters belonging to Great Britain and to France and Germany.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. PRETYMAN,) Suffolk, WoodbridgeThe total number of battleships built and building for Great Britain in the years named was as follows:—1900, seventy (including twenty-three second and third-class); 1904, sixty-five (including six second and third-class). The total number for France and Germany combined was as follows:—1900 fifty-seven; 1904, seventy-four. There are now in commission away from European waters, five battleships belonging to Great Britain, and one belonging to France.