§ 17. Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give the names of the ships transferred from the First to the Second Battle Fleet; if he will state to the House how many ships of the Second Battle Fleet have full complements and how many have nucleus crews; and whether the Board of Admiralty consider that nucleus-crew ships could be counted as instantly-ready ships in the event of a sudden attack being made by an enemy at the latter's selected moment?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLA constant process of transfer of ships from the First to the Second Fleet is going on, as new ships join the First Fleet. If the Noble Lord will specify any particular period I could give him the names of the vessels so moved. There are twelve battleships at the present in the Second Fleet. None of these have full complements, nor are they intended to have full complements. The peace organisation of the Second Fleet has been fully explained on several occasions. In the opinion of the Board of Admiralty the Second Fleet ships form part of the immediately ready Fleet, because their balance crews are composed of active service ratings, who are available for immediate embarkation and who could be so embarked while steam is being raised.