§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether His Majesty's Government have adopted any standard of strength to which the British Navy should attain in sea-going torpedo craft on the same lines as the two-Power standard in capital ships; and, if so, what is that standard?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. If the hon. Member will consult the Navy List, he will see what the standard is which the Admiralty considers sufficient.
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREIs it three to one?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir.
§ Mr. ASHLEYIs it not the fact that one Power alone—namely, Germany—has 96 destroyers under 12 years of age to our 83?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe underlying supposition of the question of the hon. Member is that no destroyer is of value after 12 years of age. I cannot accept that as true.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEDo I understand that the right hon. Gentleman and the Admiralty are satisfied with the strength of our destroyers for service in the North Sea?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, Sir.