§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked what was the number of battleships, armoured cruisers, protected cruisers, and torpedo craft, manned with nucleus crews, on 31st day of March last; what was the number of vessels in the different classes manned with a half or more, with more than two-fifths and less than a half, and with less than two-fifths of their full complements, respectively; and what was the number of officers and men required to complete these vessels to full crews?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe answer to the first part of the question is eight battleships, five armoured cruisers, five protected cruisers, 166 torpedo craft (including those abroad). The answer to the second part is—half complements, or more, in the case of the battleships, armoured cruisers and torpedo craft, and two-fifths to a half complements in the case of protected cruisers. In certain cases supernumeraries (varying in number from day to day) may be, but are not necessarily borne. It is contrary to the public interest to give the information asked for in the last part of the question.
Replying to a supplementary question by Mr. A. LEE,
§ Mr. McKENNAsaid: Yes, torpedo craft includes torpedo boats, not destroyers.