HC Deb 06 October 1909 vol 11 c1986
Mr. ASHLEY

asked whether there are now building in this country any battleships, and if so, how many, equal in gun-power, speed, and defensive armour to the most modern German type now being constructed under the German naval pro grammes of 1908 and 1909; and whether any British battleships equivalent to these will be in commission by December, 1910?

Mr. McKENNA

The details of the German 1908 and 1909 battleships have not been made public.

Mr. ASHLEY

Are we to understand that the Admiralty does not know what the German battleships of those year's programmes really carry?

Mr. McKENNA

I am unable to give the hon. Gentleman any further information.

Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Naval and Military Attaché in Berlin?

Mr. McKENNA

Yes, sir, I have asked the Naval Attaché in Berlin.