§ MR. BELLAIRSI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the new Return of Fleets credits the two German battleships of the 1906–7 programme with fourteen to sixteen 11-inch guns each, making a total increase of twelve to sixteen heavy guns beyond the figures given to the House in last year's Return issued in May, 1906; and whether, in view of this increase, representing the heavy-gun armament of three to four German battleships of the 1905–6 type, he can state if provision was made to meet it in the programme of this year.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONThe Admiralty are satisfied that the provision made for new construction is sufficient.
§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)Cannot the Admiralty so arrange their programme in the future as to ensure that the British Navy will be strong enough to meet the combined navies of all the civilised Powers—European, American, and Asiatic?
§ [No Answer was returned.]