§ MR. HARMSWORTH (Caithnesshire)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the new cruisers of the "County" class are only armed with fourteen 6-inch guns, and that their displacement is 9,800 tons, he will consider the advisability of heavier armaments in their case.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER,) Belfast, W.This matter has been most carefully considered by the Admiralty, and it is not intended to alter the armaments in question.
§ SIR WILLIAM ALLAN (Gateshead)May I ask whether it is not the fact that these ships cannot bear any heavier guns on account of their lack of stability?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI cannot give an answer to a technical question. The whole matter has been before the Admiralty, and it has been decided to make no change.
§ MR. HARMSWORTHI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can state what guns are to be the armament of the cruisers of 13,500 tons displacement, tenders for which have recently been received by the Admiralty.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThe question of the most suitable armament for the new cruisers is receiving the careful consideration of the Admiralty; and no announcement with respect to it can be made at the present time.