§ Mr. ASHLEYasked whether the regulations governing the withdrawal of armoured ships from the commissioned fleets for repair and giving leave, which were issued with the Statement of Admiralty Policy of 1905, are still in force; and, if not, what have been substituted for them?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI understand that the hon. Member is not satisfied with the answer I gave to this question last week, and has therefore put it down again. I can, however, only repeat that regulations appear to me to be out of place in this matter, and the only standard which can be recognised is that of the adequacy of the available fleet at the particular time.
§ Mr. ASHLEYThen the right hon. Gentleman totally disagrees with the policy laid down in 1905 that we should have some standard on which the Admiralty can work?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am advised that the method of calculation of naval strength that we have at our disposal differs from week to week and from day to day.