§ 31. Sir R. Rossasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many destroyers have been disposed of since VJ-day and are not now available; and how many new destroyers have joined the fleet during the same period.
§ The Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr. John DugdaleNinety-eight destroyers have been disposed of since VJ-day either by scrapping or transfer to foreign Powers. Thirty-nine destroyers have been completed and joined the Fleet during the same period.
§ Sir R. RossIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the extreme importance of this class of vessels and other escort vessels, and of the danger of their running down to low numbers, as they appear to be doing?
§ Mr. DugdaleYes, Sir, we are fully aware of that. I should like to remind 376 the hon. Gentleman that, of course, the new destroyers are infinitely better than the old destroyers that have been scrapped, many of those that have been scrapped having been exceedingly old and worn out.
§ Sir R. RossIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the importance of numbers as well as the importance of the soundness of the individual vessels?
§ Mr. DugdaleCertainly.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeWhat does the hon. Gentleman mean by "transfer"? Does he mean sale? If not, why not?
§ Mr. DugdaleSome are sold and some of them have been lent.
§ Sir W. SmithersThe hon. Gentleman referred to foreign Powers. How many of these destroyers were sent to Russia?