7. Mr. FREDERICK HALL (Dulwich)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the three Canadian battleships, or additional ships to take their place over and above the Home shipbuilding programme already provided for, will be ready for the whole-world defence of the Empire from the end of 1915 or the beginning of 1916 onwards, as foreshadowed in the Admiralty Memorandum on the Canadian proposals issued some time since?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have nothing to add to the full statement I made to the House on this matter on the 17th of this month.
Mr. F. HALLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether from the statement that he made on the 17th it is to be understood that he recognises the necessity that these three ships should be ready by that time in the event of Canada not supplying them?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI made the statement as fully and explicitly as I could. I am afraid everyone must have what understanding of that statement that is most suitable and convenient to the degree of intelligence with which he reads it.