THE EARL OF CORK AND ORRERYMy Lords, I rise to ask His Majesty's Government a question of which I have given private Notice—namely, whether any decision has yet been reached to dispose of any major units of the Royal Navy.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (VISCOUNT HALL)My Lords, the battleship strength of the Royal Navy has been under review in the light of the age and condition of the ships concerned and their possible value in a future emergency. The useful life of a battleship is normally reckoned to be approximately twenty years. This period is calculated on a normal peace-time usage, and is greatly reduced when the vessels are subjected to arduous war service. As a result of the review, the Admiralty have come to the conclusion that of the capital ships remaining in the Royal Navy, "Queen Elizabeth," Valiant," Renown," "Nelson" and "Rodney" are likely to be of the least value as fighting ships.
The possibility of maintaining the battleships in reserve was taken into consideration, but they would be costly to maintain in this state, both in money and in man-power. Moreover, if they were to be of any value in a future emergency they would need extensive refits and modernization which, in view of the heavy cost and the labour involved, could not be justified during the next few years. Even if the work were done the vessels would fall considerably short of the standard and capabilities of modern construction. In particular, their speed could not be increased to such an extent 502 as to render them capable of taking their place in a modern fleet. In view of the above considerations, instructions have been issued that these vessels should now be scrapped. A number of cruisers and smaller ships, all obsolescent or of little fighting value, will also be disposed of in the near future. This action does not represent any new departure, but is a continuation of the process which has been going on since hostilities ceased, under which redundant and out-dated warships have been scrapped or sold, if a market could be found. The Admiralty is satisfied that these reductions do not reduce the effective strength of the Navy below that required to meet any emergency which is likely to arise in the foreseeable future.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, may I ask the noble Viscount when he will be able to make a comprehensive statement showing exactly what the strength of the Royal Navy will be and the strength of the Royal Navy at which the Admiralty is now aiming? May I also ask whether he is aware that this reduction in the strength of capital ships of the Royal Navy reduces the number of capital ships available to four, and whether he thinks that will be sufficient for all practical purposes in the future? May I also ask whether he will remember that in this war, as in the last, the Royal Navy was forced to use older ships as bombardment units, and whether he is sure that it is right to scrap these ships absolutely rather than to keep them on a very reduced system of upkeep and maintenance?
§ VISCOUNT HALLMy Lords, I would like to assure the noble Earl that all those questions have been taken into consideration. Indeed, we shall have five modern battleships which, as he knows, will include the "Vanguard." With regard to a comprehensive statement, I may say that the Naval estimates will soon be presented in another place, and I have no doubt that opportunity will be taken to deal with that matter.
LORD STRAB0LGIMy Lords, may I ask the noble Viscount whether he is now publishing the document known as the Return of Fleets which we had before the war, and in which we had complete lists of all the ships?
§ VISCOUNT HALLNot at the present time.