§ *MR. BELLAIRS (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the six designs of battleships from which the "Dreadnought" was selected comprised any ships of different speed; whether the ships of different speed carried similar armament in respect of heavy guns; and whether the six designs of cruisers, from which the "Invincible" was selected, embraced ships of less speed than the "Invincible" and costing less than £1,750,000 each.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONIt is not in the public interest to give the information asked for.
§ *MR. BELLAIRSHas the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been directed to the adverse opinions expressed by Captain Mahan and other experts as to the cost of excessive speed? In the interests of economy would he consider the point?
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONNo, Sir. I should like to have a copy of the article from my hon. friend.