19.
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what naval strength is at present maintained in Chinese waters; and how this compares with a year ago?
As the answer is in tabular form, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me in a sentence whether there has been much, if any, reduction?
There has been no reduction of a permanent character. There may be a smaller number of certain auxiliary ships at the moment simply because they are passing through a process of change.
Following is the statement:
The following is a comparison of the naval units on the China station on 1st February, 1929, and 1st; February, 1930:
| 1st February, 1929. | 1st February, 1930. | |
| Cruisers | 6 | 5 |
| Aircraft carriers | 1 | 1 |
| Flotilla leaders | 1 | 1 |
| Destroyers | 8 | 8 |
| Submarine depot ships | 1 | — |
| Submarines | 6 | — |
| Sloops | 4 | 4 |
| Despatch vessels | 1 | 1 |
| Submarine tenders | 1 | 1 |
| Gunboats | 18 | 18 |
| Vessels commissioned for special service | 3 | — |
| 50 | 39 |
There has been no change in policy during the period, and the differences in numbers on the two dates mentioned are due to administrative reasons. The submarine depot ship and submarines are being replaced.