§ Sir GEORGE DOUGHTYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether His Majesty's ship "Terrible" and several minor ships undergoing repairs or general outfit are several weeks behind the time estimated for the completion for active service, because it was found that stocks drawn from the stores and not replaced had been so depleted that spare parts of machinery necessary and parts of the outfit had to be manufactured before such vessel could proceed to sea; and whether stocks and stores in the Government dockyards have been reduced during the last two years by £2,319,000?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the negative. The figure quoted in the last part of the question represents the extent to which stores were utilised without replacement during the two years ended 31st March, 1908. The stores thus used mainly became available as the result of the closing or reduction of certain naval establishments abroad, and of placing ships on the ineffective list.