§ MR. BELLAIRS (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the "Blake" and the "Blenheim," as now converted to mother-ships for destroyers, have had their armaments cut down from two 9.2-inch guns and ten 6-inch guns each to only four 6-inch guns, so that the weight of projectiles fired in one round from the whole of their guns is now only 400 lbs. as compared with 1,760 lbs. with the former armament, and the coal supply for ship use has been cut down from 1,500 tons to 670 tons; and whether he proposes to reclassify these ships which still appear in the only Annual Return furnished to Parliament and in the Navy List for the current month as first-class cruisers.
§ MR. MCKENNAI have nothing to add to my previous statement, except 755 that the question, of classification will be considered as usual when the Dilke Return for next year is prepared.
§ *MR. BELLAIRSWas not the inclusion of these battleships in the Dilke Return the subject of a protest from both sides in this House last year?
§ MR. MCKENNAI regret to say I am not aware of the circumstances.
§ MR. ARTHUR LEECannot a reclassification of the ships be carried out, so far as the Navy List is concerned?
§ MR. MCKENNAI do not think the Navy List is so much the authority on that point as the Dilke Return.
§ MR. ARTHUR LEEIs the Navy List no authority?
§ MR. MCKENNAOh, yes; but on this point of comparison with other countries the Dilke Return is the authority. The point will be borne in mind when the Dilke Return comes up next year for reconsideration.
§ MR. BELLAIRSI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the work of converting the cruiser "St. George" into a mother-ship for destroyers has been commenced; whether her armament is being cut down from two 9.2-inch and ten 6-inch guns to only four 6-inch guns, so that the weight of projectiles fired in a single round is diminished from 1,760 lbs. to less than one-fourth, or 400 lbs.; and, if so, whether he will cease to allow this vessel to appear in official classifications as a first-class cruiser.
§ MR. MCKENNANo work has been commenced on the "St. George."
§ MR. BELLAIRSI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that in an official statement where no question of naval strength is involved the so-called first-class cruisers "Blake," "Blenheim," and "St. George," were classified under their proper designation as miscellaneous vessels and not in the list of first-class cruisers; and why, under these circumstances, in official statements 756 of naval strength on which Parliament is bound to rely, these ships are classed as first-class cruisers.
§ MR. MCKENNAI am unable to trace the official statement referred to; perhaps my hon. friend will inform me what it is?
§ MR. BELLAIRSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the official statement referred to is the Memorandum issued by his predecessor this year?
§ MR. MCKENNAI was unable to trace the document referred to in the Question in the Office.