§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked what, in the opinion of the Admiralty, should be the numerical proportion of cruisers to battleships in a properly constituted fleet?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt depends on the strength and position of the enemy, and the object of the war.
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREThe right hon. Gentleman misapprehends my question. I am speaking of battleships, and therefore of battle fleets. In regard to the constitution of battleships, does the right hon. Gentleman agree with the great authority Nelson that the proportion should be three cruisers to one battleship, or, as was stated in the House the other day, five cruisers to two battleships?
§ Mr. McKENNAWhen such great authorities as Lord Nelson and the Noble Lord, the Member for Portsmouth (Lord C. Beresford), disagree on the subject, I should prefer not to express an opinion.
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREIf the right hon. Gentleman has a standard, can he state it?
§ Mr. McKENNAPerhaps the right hon. Gentleman will kindly give me notice of that question.