§ MR. GRETTONI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that H. M. S. "Blake" and H. M. S. "Blenheim" are each having their armaments reduced from two 9.2-inch and ten 6-inch guns to four 6-inch guns on each 41 ship, in order to fit them as mother ships for torpedo craft; and whether he can state why, under these circumstances, these ships appear in the new Return of Fleets for this year as first-class cruisers credited with their full original armaments.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONNo change has yet been made in the "Blake's" armament which is now as described in the Return quoted. The "Blenheim" is now in dockyard hands, and the preparation of the ship for her new duties is not yet complete.
§ MR. GRETTONIs any change contemplated in the armament of the "Blake"?
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONNo, I think not.