§ 1. Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many large 388 armoured ships have been laid down or provided for by Italy since July of last year; whether, since that date, Austria has adopted a new programme providing for three battleships; and whether, in view of the fact that the British programmes announced in July last were framed with a view to Germany alone, he will state what additional steps it is proposed to take to meet the increased shipbuilding in the Mediterranean and thus carry out the policy announced in July?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)So far as the Admiralty are aware no large armoured ships have been laid down by Italy since July, 1912, but, owing to the form in which the Italian Estimates are published it cannot be said whether any provision was made for so doing. Although during the period referred to there have been several reports to the effect that Austria-Hungary contemplates replacing the three ships of the "Monarch" class at an early date, no official announcement has been made that this programme has been approved.