§ SIR GILBERT PARKER (Gravesend)I bog to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is considered by the Admiralty and the Committee of Defence that ships withdrawn from the Fleet in full commission and placed in the Reserve or Home Fleet, are immediately effective as a striking force in the emergency of war.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Sir H. CAMPBELL - BANNERMAN, Stirling Burghs)Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will allow me to Answer this Question. The Answer is—Yes. The Board of Admiralty consider that the redistribution of ships about to be made adds to the fighting efficiency of the Fleet. Questions of this nature are not referred to the Committee of Defence, but I thought I would give this reply in order to save time.