§ 10. Mr. HUNTasked why in the coming Naval Manœuvres Great Britain is have twenty-five battleships and the enemy only sixteen, when, on his own showing, next year Germany will have twenty-one ships of the "Dreadnought" type ready for immediate war at her selected moment, whilst Britain will only have eighteen ships of the "Dreadnought" type in Home waters immediately ready for war at her average moment to defend us against invasion and conquest; and what, therefore, are these manœuvres to prove or show?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIn accordance with custom, the opposing sides in the coming Naval Manœuvres will be "Blue" and 1224 "Red," imaginary countries with imaginary territory and imaginary objects, and I would deprecate the hon. Member's attempt to add a further element of imagination. But, in any case, as I said yesterday, I cannot on behalf of the Admiralty contribute to such a, discussion.
§ Mr. HUNTDoes the right hon. Gentleman dispute that the statements in the question are shown to be the case according to his own statement in this House, and, if not, can he explain further?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, I cannot.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have not given them the detailed examination to enable me to do so, because they were not relevant to the answer that I was giving to the question. If I were giving an answer on that point., I should like to have an opportunity of consulting that record.