§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked whether any protest has been received by the Admiralty from the Federal Government of Australia concerning the condition of several vessels of the Australian squadron, notably the third-class cruisers "Psyche," "Pioneer," "Pegasus," and "Prometheus;" and what steps will be taken to send out a modern type of ship for the Australian squadron as stipulated in the naval agreement of 1903 expiring at the end of next year?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir; the Admiralty has not received any such protest. The present Australian squadron will be replaced by the Australian Fleet Unit, consisting of entirely new ships of the best types, by the end of the coming financial year.