§ Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what steps are being taken by the Naval General Staff to meet the situation created by Germany having legitimately launched and laid down cruisers superior in fighting qualities to any cruisers we have afloat or under construction?
§ Mr. ShakespeareNo new ships have been projected as a direct reply to these German cruisers. I would remind the hon. Member that the British Commonwealth of Nations already possesses 15 efficient 8-inch gun cruisers and our material margin is therefore considerable. I would also point out that in ships of the same classes even though of different ages superiority in battle depends on the training and efficiency of personnel as well as on the more material factors.