asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether in the middle of next year our "Dreadnought" and super-"Dreadnought" fleet, when deductions are made for Colonial, foreign, and Mediterranean requirements and for ships not ready for immediate use, will be in excess of the like fleet of Germany; and, if so, by how many battleships of the class indicated?

My right hon. Friend has nothing to add to the statements which he made in the debates on the Estimates, and to the published Returns laid before Parliament.

How many ships of the "Dreadnought" type shall we have in Home waters in April of next year immediately ready for sudden war, to defend us against invasion?

As I have said, Returns have been laid before Parliament.

asked if the existing rates of pay of certain ranks of commissioned and subordinate officers, Royal Navy, namely, sub-lieutenants, midshipmen, assistant paymasters under two years' seniority, clerks, and assistant clerks were fixed some fifty years ago, and that, notwithstanding the higher standards required for entry and the corresponding increased expense of preparation, no improvement of pay has been suggested for these young officers?

The answer is in the affirmative.

Have not the parents of these young officers to assist them very largely?

asked whether the existing table governing the rates of retired pay of accountant officers, Royal Navy, and based upon age and service, dates from the Order in Council, 22nd February, 1870; whether the table then applied to navigating engineers, chaplains, and medical officers, as well as to accountant officers; and whether amendment and improvements have been introduced in the forty-three years interval as regards all the classes, except navigating and accountant officers?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part, there is only one officer of the separate navigating class now on the active list, the duties for which that class existed being now carried out by officers of the military branch. In respect of accountant officers, there has been an improvement owing to the institution, in 1903, of the rank of paymaster-in-chief on the active list with additional retired pay for service as such. The maximum retired pay to which an accountant officer can attain is now £50 in excess of that laid down in the Order in Council quoted.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give me any hope that the matter will be looked into and revised?

No, I am afraid I cannot.

asked whether any negotiations are in progress for acquiring the battleship or battleships, at present under construction for the Turkish Government, for the British Navy?

Sir, I have nothing to add on this subject to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Dulwich on the 20th of November last.

asked whether the "Malaya" has yet been commenced; if not, on what date her keel will be laid; what is the anticipated date of delivery for service; and what is the contract period of construction?

Preparatory steps for the building of the "Malaya" are being taken, but whether the contract period of construction will be thirty months or twenty-seven has not yet been settled.

asked whether the "Delhi," "Benbow," and "Tiger" are likely to be delayed; when they will be launched; and by what date it is now hoped they will be completed?

Every effort is being made to expedite work on these ships; but I do not wish to forecast the date of their completion at present.

asked when it is hoped to launch the four armoured ships of the 1912–13 programme; and if there is any delay in their construction?

It is too early to give anything but a rough estimate of the launching dates. No delay in the dates of completion is anticipated at present.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the privilege of wearing plain clothes by non-commissioned officers below the rank of colour-sergeant, and men of the Royal Marine Artillery serving at Eastney Barracks has recently been cancelled; whether he is aware that hitherto these non-commissioned officers and men have been allowed to wear plain clothes whilst on pass in their station, and that the deprivation of this privilege has entailed hardship and dissatisfaction amongst all ranks, and is considered to be an unmerited punishment upon a body of men who have in no way contravened the Regulations, but who have, on the contrary, greatly appreciated the boon; and whether he will at once take steps to have the recent order abolished?

It appears that certain orders respecting the wearing of plain clothes recently issued by the General Officer Commanding the troops in the Southern Command have been taken by the Commandant to apply to the Royal Marine Artillery. The matter is now being investigated, and the result will be announced as soon as a decision is arrived at.

May I take that as a reply to my question, or shall I put it to the Secretary for War?

I am sorry, but I do not know the question to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked when the Town class for cruisers will be reopened?

There is no Town class of battleships. I cannot say at present when the practice of giving the names of towns to cruisers will be revived.

asked the working hours and the pay of the men employed on the coaling hulks C1 and C11, moored in Portsmouth Harbour?

The normal working hours of the men employed on C1 and C11 are as follows:—

Ordinary days, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with half-hour for dinner); or 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (with 1½ hours for dinner), according to coaling requirements.

Saturdays, 7 a.m. to noon.

The men are also required to take turns in keeping watch throughout the night. When coaling His Majesty's ships or discharging colliers, it is frequently necessary to employ the men beyond the above mentioned hours. The men are paid the following daily rates (including allowances) for seven days a week, the payment for seven days being made to cover all ordinary overtime:—Coal Depot C1.—Master, 8s. 6d.; mate, 4s. 10d.; 1st engineer, 9s. 6d.; 2nd engineer, 6s. 6d.; leading harbourmen, 5s. 5d.; harbourmen, 4s. 3d. (including an allowance of 4d. per day for electrical knowledge); leading stokers, 4s. 3d.; stokers, 4s. Coal haulabout.—Master, 5s. 5d.; harbourmen, 3s. 11d.; leading stoker (in charge), 4s. 9d.; stokers, 4s. Overtime pay is allowed in addition under certain special conditions, and the superintendent is also empowered to approve extra pay when men are subjected to unusual exposure. I may add that the conditions of service of these men, amongst others, are being considered by the Departmental Committee on Yard Craft.

asked if His Majesty's ship "Psyche" was docked at Cocatoo Island last month; if extensive repairs are necessary; and whether a large part of the ship's bottom is rotten?

As I have already stated in reply to the hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Central Finsbury, on the 7th February a report was received to the effect that a small leak had been discovered in the "Psyche's" bottom under the cement No. 3 stokehold. She was ordered by the commander-in-chief to Sydney for the removal of the cement, and the examination and necessary repairs to the bottom, and to be taken in hand for annual refit. Further reports state that several plates in the bottom have been found worn thin, necessitating renewal. Extensive repairs to the ship are now being carried out. A report in full detail on the condition of this ship is now on its way home.

Would the right hon. Gentleman inform the House as to the nature of the report? Alarming statements, coming from Australia, have been made as to the defective condition of the ship's bottom.

I have answered the latter in reply to the question on the Paper. As to whether I could submit the report, I could not at present say.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state how many merchant ships have now been supplied with guns for their defence against the attack of foreign vessels; how much farther the experiment is to be carried; and will he undertake to make widely known a list of these armed merchantmen, in order that the public may abstain from employing ships which involve danger of conflict with the armed vessels of a foreign Power?

I do not wish to make any statement about this matter at the present time beyond saying that my hon. Friend is mistaken in supposing that these vessels are armed for offensive purposes. I am equally sure he is still more mistaken in supposing that the public will not support a measure necessary for their safety.

Is that the way a peaceful feeling is being promoted amongst those who use the sea as a highway?

May I inquire whether the public and their merchandise and the hon. Baronet himself would not be much safer in an armed ship than in an unarmed ship?

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the Rowhedge Engineering Company of Colchester, who are contractors to the Admiralty, do not pay wages up to those ruling in the district to blacksmiths and electricians; and if he will take steps to get compliance with the Fair-Wages Clause?

I have no knowledge of any complaint against the company to this effect. I am in communication with them on the subject.

asked whether the test of English box-calf against the foreign leather used in the manufacture of boots for the Navy has yet been made; and, if so, with what result?

The answer is in the negative. It has not yet been possible to commence this trial owing to the difficulty which has occurred in obtaining suitable skins. A communication is being addressed to the Light Leather Trades Federation on the subject.