§ Mr. BURGOYNEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has been informed that the battle orders of the German fleet are, if the situation of contending forces permits, to close the lines to 5,000 yards and deliver a torpedo attack; and how many torpedo tubes are fitted in the German "Ostfriesland" and British "Neptune" classes, respectively?
§ Mr. McKENNAWe have no official information on this subject, or as to the number of torpedo tubes in the "Ostfriesland." "Nauticus" gives the number as six. As earlier German battleships have a bow and stern tube, in all probability the "Ostfriesland" has two tubes on each broadside. As regards the "Neptune," it is not in the public interest to give the information asked for.
§ Mr. BURGOYNEIs it not the fact that the information is already published in the so-called Dilke Return?
§ Mr. McKENNAIf so, then it was unnecessary for the hon. Member to ask me for the information.
§ Mr. BURGOYNEasked whether at any period during the last three months the number of completed effective 18-inch torpedoes has been less than the number of tubes for these weapons at present in the Service?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. BURGOYNEIs it not the fact that certain Government torpedo factory employés have been working overtime during the last few weeks?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe hon. Member asked whether the number of torpedo tubes exceeded the number of torpedoes. The answer is most emphatically in the negative.