HC Deb 12 June 1906 vol 158 cc812-3
MR. ARTHUR LEE

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether there is any foundation for the statement made in the public Press that the Admiralty has decided upon, or has in contemplation the reduction of one or more of the four armoured vessels of this year's programme.

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

The article in question was wholly unauthorised, and it is not intended to make any statement on the subject until Vote 8 comes up for discussion.

MR. ARTHUR LEE

When this matter is considered, will the Admiralty take into consideration the fact that by the disablement of the "Montagu" the fighting strength of the Navy has been diminished, possibly permanently, by one of its finest fighting ships?

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

I think I may say that all relevant facts will be duly considered.