§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any patrol gunboats of the "Kil" class are under construction at the present time; if so, whether any of these ships are of any use for peace purposes; whether he is aware that many officers are of opinion that this type of gunboat is of 1512W doubtful value under modern war conditions; and how many of the existing gunboats of this class are in commission or in commission in reserve at the present time?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThere is at present one vessel of this class under construction which is being completed for special service as a cable-laying vessel. All the remaining vessels have been completed and delivered, and proposals are under consideration to utilise them for commercial purposes. As regards the third part of the question, individual opinion, I presume, varies on this as on most questions. There are no vessels of this class now in commission or in commission in reserve.