§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the Prime Minister has laid it down that every ship that we build should be in accordance with all the developments and the most advanced naval architecture; and whether these conditions will be fulfilled in the case of the four battleships which the Government is about to commence?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe reply to the hon. Member is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the delay in the construction of the second four ships of this 179 year's programme has been officially ascribed to the necessity for waiting for the working out of designs which shall embody the latest improvements, and whether in view of that fact he will now give the House some more correct explanation of the reasons for delay?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe hon. Gentleman's question referred to the first four ships, not the second portion. As regards the second portion, if he will put down a supplementary question as to the precise information he desires, I shall endeavour to oblige him.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Government has reason to suppose that the four battleships which it has definitely decided to build this year are inferor in fighting capacity to the latest foreign designs; and, if not, what justification there is for not proceeding at the earliest possible moment with the full number necessary to secure an adequate margin of superiority in this class of ship in 1911–12?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Government will proceed at the earliest possible moment with the construction of the full number necessary to secure an adequate margin of superiority in battleships in 1911–12. The four ships of the new programme to be laid down in 1909 will be of no inferiority in fighting capacity to the latest foreign designs.
§ Mr. ASHLEYCan the right hon. Gentleman say what is the armament of these four ships of 1909–10 to be laid down?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir; I think it would be highly undesirable.