MR. BELLAIES (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether the two-Power standard is the one on which 728 the new naval programme for two years is framed; whether it means, as has hitherto been the case, a margin of safety over the two strongest European Powers in the number of efficient battleships and a large superiority in cruisers; and whether he can state in what respect does the standard under which the new naval programme was framed differ from the one considered by the Sea Lords of the Admiralty when they laid down the minimum requirements of the country in the memorandum of 30th November, 1905.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Sir H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN,) Stirling BurghsThe new shipbuilding programme was framed after careful consideration of the programmes of the various foreign Powers, and the recent changes made in them; no new standard has been adopted, and it is considered equal to all the requirements of the nation.
§ MR. BELLAIRSasked the Prime Minister whether he had communicated to the Admiralty his view that the standard of Franco and Germany was a preposterous one?
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI think they are quite aware of my views.