§ MR GRETTON (Rutland)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty to what classes the forty-nine vessels of the Home Fleet belong which did not assemble at Cowes and proceed to sea after the recent inspection in the Solent; what was the reason of [their absence on that occasion, and why the four vessels which were present at the inspection did not afterwards proceed to sea.
(Answered by Mr. Lambert.) Of the forty-nine vessels, twenty-two were special service vessels, two battleships, six cruisers and nineteen destroyers. The main reason for the absence of the battleships, cruisers, and destroyers was that their ordinary repairs should not be interfered with. After the inspection two vessels were required for attendance on His Majesty the King, one proceeded to port to test gun sights, one was a mine layer 1824 and would not have benefited from the exercises at sea.