§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked whether the oldest destroyer in full commission in the First (North Sea) Flotilla is the "Panther" which was launched in 1897; whether the "Panther" is shortly to be replaced by the "Afridi," launched in 1907; whether, after that exchange has taken place, there will be no destroyer in the North Sea flotilla more than six years old from the date of launch; and whether these facts may be taken to indicate that the Admiralty believes that destroyers seven or eight years old are not fit for service in the North Sea and should be relieved as soon as possible?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, the "Panther" will shortly be replaced by the "Saracen," a destroyer of the same class as the "Afridi." The statement in the third part is approximately correct; certain of the destroyers in the First Flotilla were launched in the spring of 1903. With regard to the last part of the question, these facts do not indicate that the Admiralty holds the opinion stated; the principle is that, subject to a few exceptions, the latest destroyers are placed in the fully-manned flotillas.
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREDoes not the right hon. Gentleman's answer involve that only high free-board destroyers are efficient for service?
§ Mr. McKENNANo. Destroyers of high free-board are better than destroyers with low free-board for service in the North Sea, but that does not mean that destroyers with low free-boards are not serviceable in the North Sea.