§ 24. Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked how many torpedo-boat destroyers are now in full commission for the German Navy, and to what number this is to be increased under the Navy Law Amendment Act of 846 1912, and the number of British destroyers now in full commission in Home waters?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe number of German destroyers in commission varies from time to time, as all the flotillas are not kept in commission continuously. At present full crews are maintained on board or in barracks for sixty-six boats in Home waters, which may therefore be considered as available for immediate service. This number is to be increased to ninety-nine, in accordance with the Memorandum to the Estimates of 1906. No increase in the number of destroyers maintained ready for service is made by the Naval Law Amendment Act of 1912. In addition to the boats in Home waters, there are two in commission in China. The number of British destroyers with full crews in Home waters is sixty-five at the present time; but in instituting a comparison regard should be had to the nucleus-crew flotillas also.
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREDoes not the right hon. Gentleman regard it is as a grave dereliction of duty for the Admiralty to have established flotillas so much to our disadvantage compared with Germany?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir. I cannot admit that at all. The question of the relative strength of the flotillas of the two countries would require to be stated in great detail for justice to be done to it. Then I am confident a more reassuring impression would be created than would be derived from the figures taken by the hon. Gentleman. At the same time we are rapidly increasing the number of our flotillas in commission.
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREAre not the German flotillas on the average newer than ours, and therefore more effective?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir. We have a larger number of new boats than the other country in question, and, as I told the House on the Navy Estimates, no less than fifty-one new destroyers will join the Fleet in the course of the next eighteen or nineteen months.
§ 26. Mr. ASHLEYasked whether in the financial years from 1906–7 to 1912–13, inclusive, the number of armoured ships provided to be laid down for the British Fleet is thirty and for the German, twenty-four; the number of small cruisers, thirty and fourteen, respectively; the number of destroyers, 106 and eighty-four, respectively; and whether he will explain how 847 the margin of superiority thus indicated is in accord with the standard officially laid down?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe hon. Member has omitted to include the battle cruiser "New Zealand" and the ships of the Australian Fleet unit, but with these exceptions the figures are correctly stated. I cannot with advantage argue out the details of Fleet strength at Question Time.
§ Mr. ASHLEYIs this maintaining the 60 per cent. margin which the right hon. Gentleman himself laid down as essential?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIf the programme of new construction which I indicated to the House, on behalf of the Government, when introducing the Naval Estimates, is followed, 60 per cent. preponderance in battleships of the "Dreadnought" class will be maintained.
§ Mr. ASHLEYThen the right hon. Gentleman admits that until this year the Government did not keep up the margin of safety?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo. I made no such admission as that, and I carefully explained that our margin of preponderance rises as the value of the old ships decline.
§ Mr. ASHLEYDoes the right hon. Gentleman maintain that last year we had 60 per cent. margin of modern ships?