HC Deb 14 March 1912 vol 35 cc1404-6W
Mr. ROBERT HARCOURT

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state what is the existing personnel of the German navy; and whether he has any information as to any proposed increase?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The German Navy Estimates for 1911–12 provided for a personnel numbering 60,805; those for 1912–13 (which have not yet passed) make provision for 64,526. Very full and detailed summaries of the new naval law have appeared in the German Press, from which it would seem that the increases contemplated amount to about 15,000 additional men spread over the next six years.

Mr. R. HARCOURT

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state in the form of a table the number of battleships struck off or to be struck off the active list in the years 1906–7 to 1914–15, inclusive, also the number and names of pre "Dreadnought" battleships which are expected to be in commission in March, 1915, for Great Britain and Germany, respectively; and what is the estimated life of British battleships above the "Majestic" class?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The answer to the question, so far as it refers to the past, is as follows:—

Great Britain.
1906–7 … … … … 5*
1907–8 … … … … 1
1908–9 … … … … 9
1909–10 … … … … —
1910–11 … … … … 6
1911–12 … … … … 2
* Including "Montagu," lost.
Germany.
1906–7 … … … … —
1907–8 … … … … —
1908–9 … … … … —
1909–10 … … … … 2
1910–11 … … … … 4*
1911–12 … … … … 1
* Including two sold to Turkey and one transferred to the list of school ships.

With regard to the future, the elimination of battleships depends upon a variety of contingencies which cannot, be foreseen, and consequently no forecast can usefully be made.

Mr. R. HARCOURT

asked whether any of the eight large German vessels of the 1908 and 1909 programmes carry a larger gun than 12-inch; and whether, in view of the statement made by his predecessor on 13th March, 1911, as to the comparative value of British and German "Dreadnoughts" in these programmes, he is advised that the "Ostfriesland" and "Olden- burg" types are properly to be compared with the "Orion," or whether they are in fact markedly superior in main armament and fighting value to the "Neptune," "Colossus," and "Hercules," with which they are contemporary?

Mr. CHURCHILL

None of the eight large vessels of the 1908 and 1909 programmes carry a larger gun than 12-inch. The reply to the latter part of the question is in the negative.

Mr. R. HARCOURT

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can give for each month of the present year to August the number of British and German "Dreadnoughts" and "Invincibles" completed for action?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The number of British "Dreadnoughts" and "Invincibles" completed and expected to be completed for action in each month of the present year to August is as follows:—

January … … … … 15
February … … … … 15
March … … … … 15
April … … … … 16
May … … … … 18
June … … … … 18
July … … … … 18
August … … … … 20

If by "completed for action" be understood "delivered from the shipyards," the numbers for Germany are:—

January … … … 9
February … … … 9
March … … … 9
April … … … 11
May … … … 11
June … … … 11
July … … … 12
August … … … 12