§ 6. Mr. ASHLEYasked whether the Austrian destroyer "Huszar," described in the 1912 Return of Fleets as having been launched and completed at the Danubius Works, Fiume, in 1909, is the same vessel as that which under the same name was described in the last issue of the Return as having been launched and completed at these works in 1905; and whether this vessel was built by Messrs. Yarrow and Company, and launched at Poplar, London, in 1905?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe original "Huszar" was built by Messrs. Yarrow and Co., and launched in 1905. In December, 1908, she ran on a reef and sank in deep water. Her engines, boilers, and armament only were salved, and her hull was lost. In 1909 a new hull was built at Danubius Works, Fiume, in which the salved engines and boilers were fitted. I hope this explanation will be found satisfactory.
§ Mr. ASHLEYBut can the right hon. Gentleman deny that the Dilke Return of 1911 does not agree with that of 1912?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo. I think the criticism which the hon. Gentleman implies against the Return is fully met by the answer.
§ Mr. ASHLEYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThese supplementary questions are not intended to raise an argument, but to elucidate anything which may not have been made clear.
§ 7. Mr. ASHLEYasked how many destroyers of the German 1911–12 programme were launched by 1st June, 1912, and how many of the British corresponding programme?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLEleven destroyers of the German 1911–12 programme had been launched by 1st June, 1912. None of the British destroyers of the corresponding programme were launched by this date.