§ 21. Mr. STEWARTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty in view of the present condition of affairs in China, how many of His Majesty's ships are at present on the Yangtse between Hankow and Shanghai; how many are at Shanghai itself; whether there is any reserve of gunboats at Hong Kong available for river work; and when will the two river gunboats promised last year be ready for service?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLBy latest advices there are twelve of His Majesty's ships between Hankow and Shanghai, three at Shanghai itself. Two more large ships are proceeding to Wusung and two destroyers to Shanghai. There are no gunboats in reserve at Hong Kong, but there are torpedo craft which can be employed on river work if necessary. The date for the delivery of the two new river 14 gunboats of the present year's programme is not yet settled, but on present information it is estimated that the vessels will be completed in the early part of 1915.