§ Viscount WOLMERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention 1272 has been called to the new German Navy Law; and whether he is able to make any statement as to the effect it will have upon British naval expenditure for the current year?
§ Mr. LLOYDasked whether a situation has now arisen in which the foreshadowed supplementary increase in the Navy should be made; and whether he will state when such increase will be made?
Mr. FRED HALL (Dulwich)asked if the right hon. Gentleman is yet in a position to state whether Germany proposes to modify the shipbuilding programme provided for under the German Navy Act of 1908 in such a way as to make it necessary to submit Supplementary Estimates in order to make the relative strengths of the English and German Navies fulfil the standard laid down by him?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt will be necessary to present additional Estimates for the Navy to the House this year. I am not yet in a position to say when the Votes will be taken.
Mr. FRED HALL (Dulwich)Arising out of that answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is yet in a position to inform the House definitely whether the Government will, under the circumstances, lay down five "Dreadnoughts" this year instead of three?