§ Mr. ASHLEYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the official distinction between protected and unprotected cruisers as applied both to British and Foreign ships?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. McKenna)Protected cruisers are those in which a substantial amount of 1111 weight is devoted to protective purposes, while in unprotected cruisers there is no protective material other than, perhaps, a small conning tower or some gun shields.
§ Mr. ASHLEYCan the right hon. Gentleman say what the amount of this protective armament is? Their must be some rule laid down.
§ Mr. McKENNANo. It varies very much.
§ Viscount HELMSLEYDoes the same rule apply in classifying the ships to British as to foreign ships?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes. In classifying the ships the same rule applies, but the amount of protective armour varies.
§ Mr. ASHLEYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the United Kingdom and Germany each possess twenty-four protected and unprotected cruisers not launched more than twelve years, he will consider the advisability of proposing the immediate construction of further vessels of these classes?
§ Mr. McKENNAAll material considerations were taken into account in framing the programme of shipbuilding for the year, and the facts stated by the hon. Member disclose no ground for increasing the programme. He has omitted to take into account the great preponderance of British cruisers launched more than twelve years ago, but still of considerable fighting value.
§ Mr. ASHLEYIn view of the fact that our cruisers have infinitely greater duties to perform, ought not we to have more cruisers?
§ Mr. McKENNANo. I have stated in my answer that all the considerations present to the mind of the hon. Gentleman were equally present to the mind of the Admiralty Board when drawing up their programme.