§ 29. Mr. SKELTONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total number of ships on the effective list of the Royal Navy on 31st March, 1914, and 31st March, 1925, respectively?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Davidson)The total number of ships on the effective list of the Royal Navy on the dates specified were 545 and 499 respectively. I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate further particulars in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. HARRISIs the reduction not due to the Washington Conference?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise immediately here.
§ The details are as follow:
| Class of ship. | 31st March, 1914. | 31st March, 1925. | |
| Battleships | … | 59 | 18 |
| Battle-cruisers | … | 8 | 4 |
| Aircraft carriers | … | Nil | 4 |
| Small seaplane carriers | … | Nil | 2 |
| Cruisers | … | 96 | 47 |
| Monitors | … | — | 9 |
| Minelayers | … | Nil | 1 |
| Flotilla leaders | … | 10* | 17 |
| Destroyers | … | 187 | 189 |
| Torpedo boats | … | 75 | Nil |
| Depot ships | … | 20 | 16 |
| Repair ships | … | 2 | 2 |
| Minesweepers | … | 4 | 61 |
| Submarines | … | 60 | 61 |
| Sloops, gunboats, etc | … | 24 | 68 |
| Total | … | 545 | 499 |
| * Cruisers employed as flotilla leaders. |