HC Deb 11 June 1913 vol 53 cc1595-6
2 and 4. Mr. MIDDLEMORE

asked (1) whether Germany will possess twenty-six completed "Dreadnoughts" in the spring of 1916; whether forty-two ships will be required to give us a 60 per cent. superiority over them; whether, in fact, the number of completed "Dreadnoughts" provided for by Great Britain at that date will be thirty-nine only; and, in view of the fact that Colonial or Dominion ships do not contribute towards this standard, what steps are proposed in order that the necessary standard may be maintained; and (2) whether the current naval programme was framed with the intention of giving Great Britain, apart from Colonial or Dominion warships, a total of thirty-nine completed "Dreadnoughts" in the spring of 1916 as compared with Germany's twenty-six; whether this programme was based on the assumption that three additional ships would be built at the cost of the Dominion of Canada; and, in view of the fact that action on the part of the Dominion is now indefinitely postponed, to what extent it is proposed to increase the completed "Dreadnought" strength of Great Britain in the spring of 1916?

The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Churchill)

These questions were fully discussed on the Estimates, and I have nothing to add to the statements which I then made to the Committee of the Whole House.

3. Mr. MIDDLEMORE

asked how the acceleration of the three contract battleships of the current programme will affect the naval position as between Great Britain and Germany in the spring of 1916?

Mr. CHURCHILL

These matters had better be reserved for the discussions on Vote 8.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

When will Vote 8 be taken?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Some time in July. The date does not rest with me nor does is rest wholly with the Government.

Mr. MIDDLEMORE

Will the acceleration of the programme add one single battleship to our number at the end of 1916?

Mr. CHURCHILL

It depends on the date in 1916. The effect of every acceleration is necessarily only temporary and will pass away in a certain number of months. The effect of the action that is now being taken is to keep the position open for six or seven months.