§ Sir FREDERICK DIXON-HARTLANDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether he was aware that the German "Dreadnoughts" are far superior in fighting power to the British ones as, whilst our are armed with 10 12-inch guns and 27 12-pounders, the German vessels carry 12 12-inch guns and 12 6.7 guns, and thus the superiority in artillery would enable a smaller number of their "Dreadnoughts" to cope with a larger number of ours; and. if so, what action he proposes to take?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. McKenna)Our "Dreadnoughts" are considered fully equal in fighting value to German vessels of corresponding ages of construction. So far as is known, no German vessel yet launched is designed to carry the armament stated in the question.
§ Sir F. DIXON-HARTLANDThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered the first part of my question at all, whether certain German vessels carry the armaments which I mention.
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir. I have said that no German vessel yet launched carries the armaments stated in the question.
§ Sir F. DIXON-HARTLANDIf the right hon. Gentleman will make inquiries, I think he will find that is not so, and I shall be glad to know what steps will he take if he finds that the statement is correct.
§ Mr. ASHLEYIs it not the fact that all the German Dreadnoughts now building carry 12-inch guns?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir; I really think it is most undesirable, in the form of ques- 8 tion and answer, to put to me matters which must be secret matters so far as the German Government is concerned. The German Government publish certain official statements, and I do not think I can be expected to give any information beyond what is contained in the German official statements.
§ Sir F. DIXON-HARTLANDIf you have knowledge that certain things are taking place, why should they be kept secret because the German Government do not provide the information for the Admiralty?
§ Mr. ASHLEYIs it a fact that all the secret information is contained in the Dilke Return of last July?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir; not one word.