§ Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty which of the four armoured ships of the German naval programme of 1910–11 have been ordered; and what is the earliest date, and on what date, it is intended to place orders for each of the five British armoured ships of this year's programme?
§ Mr. McKENNANo official information has been received as to the dates of the laying down of the armoured ships of the German naval programme of 1910–11. As regards the second part of the question, the exact dates have not yet been decided.
§ Earl WINTERTONIs it not a fact that the dates have already appeared in the German Press, and can the right hon. Gentleman use official channels to verify that information?
§ Mr. McKENNAA great many dates have appeared in the German Press with regard to the laying down of these ships.
§ Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to lay aside for a moment the mask of imbecility assumed on these occasions—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a very improper-preface. The hon. Gentleman had better proceed to put question 106.