§ VISCOUNT TURNOURI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is the settled policy of the Admiralty in framing their shipbuilding programme to meet only those programmes of Foreign Powers which are actually sanctioned by their respective Parliaments.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONThe Answer is in the affirmative, but the Admiralty are also guided by the number of vessels actually laid down and the progress made with their construction.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN (Worcestershire, E.)May I ask whether the Government takes into account in considering the programmes of foreign Powers the progress made in vessels before they are laid down? Hon. Members are familiar with the fact that great sums are often spent on a vessel before it is laid down with a view of securing rapid progress.
§ *MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONThat is not lost sight of.
§ MR. BELLAIRS (Lynn Regis)Is it not the fact that in another place an assurance was given that the programmes of the French and German navies which were only sanctioned last May were taken into account.
§ *MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONasked for notice of the Question.