§ MR. SAMUEL ROBERTS (Sheffield, Ecclesall)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, considering the abandonment of H.M.S. "Montagu," and the preparations and programmes of Foreign Powers, he has any announcement to make to the House with respect to the shipbuilding programme or naval policy of the Government, as stated by him in July last.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONThe Answer is in the negative.
§ MR. SAMUEL ROBERTSIs it not intended to make any statement?
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONNot as at present advised.
MR. AUSTENCHAMBERLAIN (Worcestershire, E.)asked whether there was to be no opportunity of discussing this question, seeing that it had arisen subsequent to the passing of the Estimates.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONThe only announcement of the policy of the Admiralty subsequent to the passing of the Estimates is the policy affecting the Home Fleet, and it is not touched by this question.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINsaid that the loss of the ship was subsequent to the discussion of the Estimates. The decision of the Government not to replace a lost ship was not in accordance with usual precedent, and the event had occurred subsequent to the discussion of the Estimates. In these circumstances, was the House not to have an opportunity of considering this matter?
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONNot to my knowledge.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThen I appeal to the Prime Minister.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Sir H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN, Stirling Burghs)The right hon. Gentleman speaks of "this matter," but gives a confused view of what the matter is. Is it a discussion on the whole naval policy of the Government?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINNo, but the replacing of a vessel that has been lost.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI do not think that an individual point of that kind is a matter which requires a special discussion.