§ SIR BERKELEY SHEFFIELDTo ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if the Channel Fleet as at present constituted (fourteen battleships and three unarmoured cruisers), less the usual number of ships refitting, is able to meet any foreign fleet in Home waters without reinforcements from other Fleets.
(Answered by Mr. Lambert.) The Board of Admiralty are satisfied that the battleship strength of the Channel Fleet is greater now than at any previous time, 114 and that with its complementary first-cruiser squadron it is amply sufficient for the duties it is required to undertake.