§ MR. NIELDTo ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the nominal strength of the Channel Fleet comprises fourteen battleships; and whether, since its reorganisation in February, it has ever had that number fit for service; and, if not, by how many battleships it has been short.
(Answered by Mr. Lambert.) Fourteen battleships are attached to the Channel Fleet. As in the case of other Fleets, ships 113 of the Channel Fleet arc periodically sent to the dockyard for refit. As a rule, not more than two battleships at the most are absent, but since February, 1907, three have, on occasion, been absent.