§ 9. Mr. COOPERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty upon what principle he selects the merchant vessels that are to be fitted with 4.7 inch guns; upon what grounds such steamers as the "La Correntina," "La Negra," "La Rosarina," and "El Uruguayo" have been selected in preference to first-class mail and passenger steamers such as those of the Lam-port and Holt line, the Royal Mail D type of boats, and the Nelson line of steamers, all of which carry the same class of cargo, from and to the same ports; if the Admiralty have examined the strength of construction and stiffening of the selected vessels in the vicinity of the gun plat- 1599 forms; and if he will say what steps are taken to make certain that the structure of the vessels in the vicinity of the gun platforms would be able to bear the strain if the guns were fired for any length of time?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe Admiralty in the selection of the ships to which guns have been allotted have given priority to those most likely to attract attack from armed enemy merchant cruisers. The steamers mentioned by the hon. Member have not been excluded and will, if their owners concur, be considered for arming with those of other steamship lines. All ships selected for arming are inspected, and, where necessary, strengthened to stand the strain of firing.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI suppose there is a limit to everything, but we are a good long way from reaching that limit. I certainly hope a considerable number of ships will be equipped before the end of the year.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLSurely these ships will be quite valueless for the purpose of attacking armed vessels of any kind. What they are serviceable for is to defend themselves against the attack of other vessels of their own standing.