13. Mr. FRED HALLasked whether it is proposed to take any steps to purchase two battleships now being built in this country for Turkey in the event of that country not requiring them; and, in the event of such purchase being effected as an addition to the present shipbuilding programme, what would be the number of ships of the "Dreadnought" type possessed by Great Britain and Germany, respectively, in 1915?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have no intention of recommending any addition to the forecast of future construction which I gave to the House in March last, unless new facts are disclosed which were not taken into consideration at that time. The ultimate destination of the powerful vessels referred to in the question is, however, a matter of interest to the Admiralty, and will receive attention from time to time.