§ MR. ARTHUR LEE (Hampshire, Fareham)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is anticipated that any of the three war vessels recently lost, viz., H.M.S. "Gladiator," H.M.S. "Tiger," and H.M.S. "Gala," can be salved and restored to a condition of fighting efficiency; and, if not, what steps will be taken by His Majesty's Government to replace these vessels and to maintain unimpaired the fighting strength of the Navy.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (MR. McKENNA,) Monmouthshire, N.Salvage operations on H.M.S. "Gladiator" are being carried out; but no opinion can yet be formed as to her ultimate condition. It is not proposed to attempt to salve either H.M. ships "Tiger" or "Gala." While our ship construction is not on so narrow a margin as to render any immediate action imperative, yet in view of an exceptional opportunity for replacement on most advantageous terms having presented itself, the Board are now considering the question.
§ MR. ARTHUR LEEMay I ask whether, in view of the officially recognised deficiency in modern torpedo destroyers, the Government will increase the present year's programme of those vessels from sixteen to eighteen, in order that the minimum provision considered 1639 necessary before these disasters took place may not be reduced?
§ MR. McKENNAThe question is obviously one for discussion in debate on the Estimates.