§ Mr. ASHLEYasked how many destroyers of the British 1908–9 programme are now in commission; and how many of the German destroyers provided for in the same year?
§ Mr. McKENNAAccording to recent information in the Press, seven of the twelve German destroyers of the 1908–9 programme are now in commission. Not any of the British destroyers of the 1908–9 programme are yet in commission.
§ Mr. ASHLEYMay I ask why His Majesty's Government allow the English shipbuilding programme to be so much outdistanced by the German?
§ Mr. McKENNAI can only repeat that this matter was very fully debated on the Estimates, and it would be very undesirable to reopen it in question and answer.
§ Mr. ASHLEYasked if he can state how many destroyers were provided for in 1907–8 by the British and German Naval Estimates respectively; and on what dates the last boats of the respective programmes were commissioned?
§ Mr. McKENNATwelve destroyers were provided for in 1907–8 by the German Naval Estimates. The last of these commissioned on 15th December, 1908. Five destroyers were provided for in the British programme for 1907–8. Four of these are in commission. The remaining boat, the "Viking," will be completed next month.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWhat steps have been taken to speed up our shipbuilding programme as compared with the Germans?
§ Mr. McKENNAThis subject was very fully debated.
§ Mr. ASHLEYasked how many destroyers of British 1909–10 programme have been launched; and how many of the German destroyers provided for in the same year have been completed?
§ Mr. McKENNAThree of the German destroyers provided for in the 1909–10 programme are understood to have been completed. None of the British destroyers of the 1909–10 programme have yet been launched.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWould the right hon. Gentleman explain why it was that one of the German programme was in commission before the first of ours was laid down?
§ Mr. McKENNAThat fact was fully explained in the Debate on the Estimates.