§ 22. Rear-Admiral SUETERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the number of British aircraft carriers and number of naval aeroplanes and seaplanes stationed in Chinese waters?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThere are one aircraft carrier and one cruiser carrying 2088 seaplanes in Chinese waters. There is also one cruiser carrying one seaplane en route to China. I am sure that my hon. and gallant Friend will agree that it would not be in the public interest to publish the more detailed information for which he asks.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs the purpose of these vessels in Chinese waters to carry on anti-Chinese propaganda?
§ 23. Rear-Admiral SUETERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, in the event of a British aircraft carrier serving on the China station becoming damaged through collision in a fog or striking sunken wreckage, necessitating shifting a propeller, or the, necessity arising of examining and repairing underwater fittings, where would the ship be dry-docked: and what distance is this dock from the naval base in those waters?
§ Mr. THURTLEMay I submit to you, Mr. Speaker, that this is a hypothetical question.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI do not think it is in the sense in which we generally use that term. It seems to me. to he quite a genuine question.
§ Mr. THURTLEMay I submit that it is providing for a contingency which has not yet arisen?
§ Mr. LOOKERAre we not entitled to know what facilities for the repair of aircraft-carrying ships exist in the Far East?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI really think it is a legitimate question. It asks what arrangements are mode for dry-docking.
§ Mr. MACLEANMay I point out that it says, "in the event of"—that is to say, it is purely hypothetical?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI think the hon. Member will see that it relates to repairs when an aircraft carrier is damaged. It is only a matter the wording.
§ Mr. MACLEANOther questions have been handed back for less than this.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI may say that, if the Admiralty did not think it their duty to look ahead for eventualities of this kind, they would meet with a Teat deal more criticism than they do. The China Squadron is based on Hong Kong, where 2089 there are ample facilities for docking His Majesty's ships. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
§ 24. Rear-Admiral SUETERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the menace to British nationals and British property in Chinese waters, the air resources at the disposal of the British naval commander-in-chief on the China station are considered adequate?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe answer is in the affirmative.