§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that there are no scouts, torpedo craft, or auxiliary vessels attached to the Atlantic Fleet, the Admiralty will give instructions for the changing of the word fleet to squadron, or to some other word consistent with the deficient equipment of the force?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe answer to the hon. Member's question is in the negative.
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREDoes the right hon. Gentleman approve of a body of ships sailing under false names without deceiving anybody but the English public?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe hon. Member does not seem to understand the question he put upon the Paper. For instance, the German High Sea Fleet has none of these smaller ships for the fleet, and consists of what he would call squadrons, and yet it is invariably spoken of as the High Sea Fleet.
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, having regard to the fact that on 27th April and 4th May the Atlantic Fleet was not constituted as a properly-equipped fighting force, he will say who is primarily responsible for a constitution which is inconsistent with its readiness for war, and is in direct contradicton to the statement made by its Commander-in-Chief on 29th March that it was self-contained?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Board of Admiralty is responsible for the constitution of all fleets, and the constitution of the Atlantic Fleet is not inconsistent with its readiness for war.