§ MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that in order to maintain in His Majesty's Navy a preponderance of 10 per cent. over the combined strength in capital ships of the two next strongest Powers it is necessary that the construction of further capital ships should be entered upon without delay, he will state if it is the intention of the Government to lay down any capital ships beyond those already sanctioned before the conclusion of the present financial year.
§ MR. ASQUITHIn the opinion of the Admiralty no such necessity exists as the hon. Member suggests, and the Government have no intention of altering the programme already sanctioned for the current financial year.