§ 112. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the approximate decreases or increases in the personnel of the naval forces of Great Britain, the United States of America, and Japan, respectively, at the present time as compared with 1914?
The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Sir Bolton Eyres Monsell)In round figures United States of America 39,700 increase, Japan 40,000 increase (estimated), Great Britain 55,400 decrease.
§ Sir W. DAVISONSeeing that these very large gestures of disarmament have not met with any response on the part of foreign Powers, will the First Lord assure the House that early steps will be taken to make good these heavy reductions in the personnel of the Navy?
Lieut.-Colonel J. SANDEMAN ALLENMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to bring these figures to the notice of the hon. and learned Member for East Bristol (Sir S. Cripps)?
§ Brigadier-General NATIONWill the right hon. Gentleman also give us the figures for France and Italy?
§ Mr. MANDERIs it not a fact that any addition to the American naval forces is considered as an addition to the strength of this country?