§ MR. ASHLEY (Lancashire, Blackpool)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what speed could have been safely developed and maintained on or about 9th October by each of the two battleships at Malta which were ready to put to sea with defective machinery.
§ MR. MCKENNAThe "Ocean" could have safely developed and maintained on 9th October a speed of 15 knots, and the "Goliath" 13 knots.
§ MR. ASHLEYDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that satisfactory for these two ships?
§ MR. MCKENNAIt would not be regarded so if it were their permanent condition.
§ MR. ASHLEYHave the defects been made good?
§ MR. MCKENNAThey are being made good now.
§ MR. ASHLEYI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the maximum speed developed when on trials by each of the three battleships which left Malta owing to the crisis in the Near East on or about 9th October; and what was the maximum speed which they developed or could have developed on the latter occasion.
§ MR. MCKENNAThe maximum speeds developed on contractors' trials by these three vessels were:—"Canopus," 18.5 knots; "Glory," 18.124 knots; "Prince of Wales," 17.8. A speed approximating to this could, if desired, have been obtained in each case on the occasion in question.