§ 4. Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that on 1st April, 1915, we shall have only thirty-four completed ships of the "Dreadnought" type (excluding the battle-cruiser "New Zealand") to Germany's twenty-three, he will consider the advisability of placing orders for three armoured ships immediately, so that we have by the date named the margin of 60 per cent, over Germany in "Dreadnoughts," which the Board of Admiralty considers necessary?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt will be my duty to deal fully with the question of our margins of naval strength in introducing the Navy Estimates in March. I would only observe that, including the "New Zealand" and the two "Lord Nelsons," the figures should read thirty-seven to twenty-three, which is a superiority of 60 per cent.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will arrange so that ample time is afforded in March for the discussion of these matters?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLQuestions relating to business, as the hon. Member is aware, should be addressed to the Leader of the House.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSI am asking the right hon. Gentleman if he will use his endeavours to arrange that we shall have ample time.
§ 5. Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked how many of the armoured ships, small cruisers, and destroyers provided for since and including the financial year 1906–7 by Great Britain and Germany, respectively, have been passed into service?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe figures asked for are as follows:—
§ Great Britain—
- 18 armoured ships out of 31 provided, including the "New Zealand."
- 16 small cruisers out of 30 provided including 8 light armoured cruisers of this year's programme.
- 72 destroyers out of 110 provided.
§ Germany—
- 14 armoured ships out of 24 provided.
- 10 small cruisers out of 14 provided.
- 75 destroyers out of 84 provided.