HC Deb 21 April 1909 vol 3 cc1517-8
Mr. MIDDLEMORE

asked what battleships of the pre-"Dreadnought" type would, according to the age-limit now in force, remain on the German list of efficient ships in 1920; whether any of the vessels so remaining would have the main belts of less than nine inches thickness amidships and four inches at bow and stern; and whether they would carry any guns of six inches calibre, or above, which are less than 40 calibres in length.

Mr. McKENNA

The reply to the first part of the question is:—

  • Five of the "Deutschland" class,
  • Five of the "Braunschweig" class,
  • Five of the "Wittclsbach" class,
  • Three of the "Kaiser" class.
The three vessels of the "Kaiser" class only have the armour and guns mentioned in the remaining parts of the question.