HC Deb 24 June 1907 vol 176 cc873-4
MR. BELL AIRS (Lynn Regis)

I bog to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, besides the four armoured cruisers absent in America, the Channel Fleet has been short of four battleships since 26th May, and from 5th May to 19th May the Channel Fleet has been three battleships short, so that its fighting strength has for a long interval boon reduced from fourteen to ten or eleven battleships.

MR. LAMBERT

My information does not coincide with that in the hon. Member's Question. The Channel Fleet was four battleships short only for five days from 10th Juno. This can hardly be termed a long interval. In any case, the circumstances were exceptional, and the Admiralty must be permitted to exercise their discretion as to these matters.

MR. BELLAIRS

I adhere to my information, and I should like to ask the hon. Member if he still adheres to his Answer on 17th June, when he said that since February, 1907, only three battleships had been absent. He never said anything about a fourth.

[No Answer was returned].

MR. GEORGE FABER (York)

How many are absent now?

MR. LAMBERT

None, Sir.

MR. GEORGE FABER

Is the "Scout" which on paper is attached to the Fleet with it at present?

MR. LAMBERT

If the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question, I will get him full information.