§ Mr. ASHLEYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether various ships of the "Canopus" class are now lying at Chatham with not more than twenty deck hands on each; whether other ships of this class on their arrival from the Mediterranean are to be reduced to a like complement; and, if so, whether the present manning of these ships is due to the admitted shortage of personnel or to the 1985 intention of the Admiralty to remove these fine ships from the active list of battleships?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The hon. Member has no justification for stating that there is an admission of shortage of personnel if he means to suggest that that admission is made by anybody of competent authority or knowledge. Vessels of the "Canopus" class are gradually passing into the fourth division of the Home Fleet as they are replaced by later types.
§ Mr. ASHLEYThen are we to understand that these battleships are going on the scrap heap?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe hon. Gentleman is quite wrong.
§ Mr. ASHLEYIf that is not so, why have these battleships not got a proper complement of men?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt is rather difficult to explain the organisation in answer to a question across the floor of the House, but the fourth division of the Home Fleet has nothing to do the scrap heap.