§ 21. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the usual custom when ships are to be rearmed to pay them off before the manufacture of the new guns has been commenced; and, if not, why was this course adopted in the case of the eight scouts employed as flotilla cruisers paid off in August and September, 1912, and not yet rearmed?
§ Mr. G. LAMBERTThere is no usual custom in the matter. Each case must be judged on its merits. Five of these ships have been wholly and three partially re-tubed as well as rearmed.