20. Mr. BECKETTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total number of warships of all classes on the active list on 1st November 1912 and 1928, respectively?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Bridgeman)Information regarding the number of ships on the Effective List of the Royal Navy on the 1st November, 1912, is not readily available, but on the 20th December, 1912, the number was 609. The corresponding number for the 1st November, 1928, is 399. I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate further particulars in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLIs not this conclusive evidence that the Government have done what they can?
§ Following are the particulars:
| Class of Ship. | 20th Dec, 1912. | 1st Nov., 1928. |
| Battleships | 56 | 16 |
| Battle Cruisers | 7 | 4 |
| Aircraft Carriers | — | 5 |
| Small Seaplane Carriers | — | 2 |
| Cruisers | 111 | 51 |
| Monitors | — | 7 |
| Minelayers | 7 | 1 |
| Flotilla Leaders | 8 | 17 |
| (Cruisers employed as such). | ||
| Destroyers | 189 | 140 |
| Torpedo Boats | 109 | — |
| Depot Ships | 18 | 12 |
| Repair Ships | 2 | 1 |
| Minesweepers | — | 29 |
| Submarines | 64 | 52 |
| Sloops, Gunboats, etc. | 38 | 62 |
| 609 | 399 |