HC Deb 22 November 1911 vol 31 cc1173-4
Mr. ASHLEY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Atlantic Fleet is an independent command or whether this force is under the orders of the Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet; and, if the latter is the case, on how many occasions has the Atlantic Fleet been combined with the Home Fleet for exercises since the arrangement came into force?

The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Churchill)

The Atlantic Fleet is an independent command, and only comes under the orders of the Commander-in Chief of the Home Fleet when the Admiralty so directs. During the present year, the Atlantic Fleet has taken part in combined exercises with the Home Fleet in January and at Midsummer.

Mr. ASHLEY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the German high sea fleet now comprises seventeen battleships as compared with only sixteen in the active divisions of the British Home Fleet; whether seven years ago we had in home waters twice as many fully commissioned battleships as Germany; and whether the changes thus indicated are to be regarded as an expression of Admiralty policy as regards the naval defence of these islands?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The comparison as regards the battleships comprised in the fleets in home waters maintained in commission with full crews is as follows:—

1904. Germany 11
Great Britain
Home Fleet 8
Channel Squadron 8
1911. Germany 17
Great Britain
Home Fleet, 1st and 2nd Divns. 16
Atlantic Fleet 6
With reference to the last part of the question, the naval defence of these islands does not depend solely upon the number of battleships in commission with full crews.

Mr. ASHLEY

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that the Atlantic Fleet will always be ready for service in the North Sea?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The Atlantic Fleet is maintained in divisions under the conditions which the hon. Gentleman specifies in his question.

Mr. ASHLEY

Is it not the fact that they are not available for some considerable time, whereas the German High Sea Fleet is available at a moment's notice?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No. Arrangements which are made will enable the Atlantic Fleet to be available at any time when it is necessary to reinforce the Home Fleet.

Sir G. PARKER

Are we to understand that "first and second divisions" means the Home Fleet, including the Channel Fleet?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No. There are sixteen battleships in the first and second divisions of the Home Fleet, and there are six battleships in the Atlantic Fleet. All these vessels are maintained in full commission with full crews.

Mr. ASHLEY

Is it not the fact that the Atlantic Fleet is sometimes as far away as Gibraltar?

Mr. CHURCHILL

It is sometimes as far away as Gibraltar. Those times are chosen with reference to the general situation.

Mr. ASHLEY

asked how many battleships were maintained in full commission in 1904, and how many in the present year?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The answer is—

  • 33 in 1904,
  • 28 in the present year.
Of these the number in home waters was—
  • 16 in 1904,
  • 22 in 1911.