§ Mr. ASHLEYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether the contention of the Admiralty that the British "Dreadnought" battleships of the 1909–10 programme will be 30 per cent, stronger than their predecessors was intended to apply to the offensive powers of the vessels concerned; and whether the new British vessels will have a total weight of fire on broadside of approximately 8,840 lb., while the broadside fire of the earliest German "Dreadnought" battleships is 9,912 lb., and of the United States battleships of the 1909 programme and for the Brazilian battleships now building in this country, 10,200 lb.?
§ Mr. McKENNAWhile not accepting the figures enunciated, it is undesirable in the public interest to afford any further information with reference to the armament and offensive power of the new British battleships.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman state why it is undesirable, considering that it has always been done hitherto?
§ Mr. McKENNANo; it has not been done in regard to the new British battleships.