§ 26. Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether by 1st January, 1916, France will possess any completed ships of the all-big-gun type besides the "Jean Bart," "Courbet," 1828 "France," "Paris," "Bretagne," "Provence," and "Lorraine" whether these ships will have an aggregate broadside fire of seventy heavy guns; and whether at the same date Italy will have at least six completed ships of the all-big-gun type, with an aggregate broadside of seventy-seven heavy guns, and Austria at least four such ships, with a broadside of forty-eight heavy guns?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)Some confusion appears to have arisen owing to the use of the expression "all-big-gun type" in the question asked by the hon. Member on 12th June, which was taken as being equivalent to the expression "Dreadnought type." According to the figures used in all previous official returns the six French "Dantons" have been classed as "Dreadnoughts," and rightly so, since they are of later date than the "Dreadnought," and are of approximately equal power. The aggregate broadside fire of the "Dantons" is twenty-four 12-inch and thirty-six 9.4-inch guns, and the figures given in the question, which are otherwise correct, should be increased by this amount. On the other hand, it would be proper to include-the three Austrian "Radetskys," which have not hitherto been counted as "Dreadnoughts." They are smaller than the "Dantons," and somewhat inferior in armament and size, but are rather similar in character. In this case the account for these ships would stand:—
These figures are, however, not a complete or trustworthy guide to relative strength.
- France, ninety-four 12-inch or better, and thirty-six 9.4-inch.
- Italy, seventy-seven 12-inch.
- Austria-Hungary, sixty 12-inch, and twelve 9.4-inch.