HC Deb 02 March 1927 vol 203 cc358-9
17. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is proposed to commission any additional men-of-war for service on stations other than China to replace the vessels sent to China recently; and which vessels is it proposed to commission or to bring up to full complement?

The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Bridgeman)

Although the temporary transfer of a number of His Majesty's ships to China from other stations has greatly interfered with training and other fleet work on those stations, I trust that the conditions which have caused the despatch to China of the vessels in question will not be so prolonged as to make it necessary to commission additional vessels to replace them, and that no new factors will arise which might necessitate a modification of Admiralty policy in this respect.

21. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the number in full commission, and with reduced crews, of capital ships and cruisers as compared with July, 1914; and whether the fully commissioned ships have suffered any reduction of complements as compared with 1914?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the Capital ships and cruisers in commission with full crews, reduced crews or reserve crews respectively in July, 1914 and February, 1927. As regards the second part of the question, only two ships—the cruisers "Lowestoft" and "Birmingham"—of the 1914 Fleet are now in full commission. Their complements are larger now than in 1914.

Following is the statement:

STATEMENT showing capital ships and cruisers in full commission and with reduced crews in July, 1914 and February, 1927.
STATEMENT showing capital ships and cruisers in full commission and with reduced crews in July, 1914 and February, 1927.
Battle ships. Battle Cruisers. Cruisers.
July, 1914.
Full Crews 31 8 49
Reduced or Special Crews (including Second Fleet). 13 — 37
Third Fleet 16 — 27
February, 1927.
Full Crews 7 3 36
Reduced Crews 5 1 2
Reserve Crews — — 5