§ Mr. ERNEST LAMBasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many battleships and armoured cruisers have been based on Sheerness during the last two years; whether these vessels have had their full complement of crews; and whether he will state what changes, if any, have been decided upon with regard to the number, efficiency, and equipment of the vessels to be based on Sheerness in future?
§ Mr. McKENNASeven battleships and six armoured cruisers all manned with full crews, except one battleship, have been based on the Nore. In the near future the large vessels based upon the Nore will be seven battleships, three manned with nucleus crews, and four with reduced 1241W nucleus crews, and three armoured cruisers manned with nucleus crews. These ships will be kept efficient and ready, like the Portsmouth and Devonport nucleus-crew ships.