MR. GEORGE FABERI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what was the last date when the Channel Fleet had its full complement of fourteen battleships assembled; and how many of the fourteen battleships are absent now.
§ MR. LAMBERTThe fourteen battle- ships of the Channel Fleet have not been assembled since the battle squadron was reconstituted in March last. Two battle-ships are now absent, viz., the "Triumph," which, is in dockyard hands at Chatham, and the "New Zealand," which is preparing to proceed from Devonport to Bantry for gun trials.
MR. GEORGE FABERMay I ask why the hon. Gentleman informed me 910 in this House on 24th June that all the battleships were assembled?
§ MR. LAMBERTI did not intend to convey that.