§ 19. Viscount CURZONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now make any statement with reference to the sale of H.M.S. "Canada" and other ships to Foreign Powers, giving the names of the ships concerned, the Powers to whom they have been sold, and the price obtained.
§ Sir J. CRAIGH.M.S. "Canada" and certain other vessels have been sold to Chile. No other sales of warships to foreign Powers have been definitely concluded, but a sloop and three motor launches have been disposed of—the sloop "Zinnia" to Belgium without armament, and two motor launches to Portugal and one to Denmark. His Majesty's Government is not at present in a position to divulge the financial terms.
§ Viscount CURZONCan the hon. and gallant Baronet state exactly what ships have been sold, or circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT?
§ Sir J. CRAIGI have already given the Noble Lord all the information we have—the "Canada," three other torpedo boats and a tug. Other sales of warships to foreign Powers have not been definitely concluded.
§ Viscount CURZONAre other sales contemplated?
§ Sir J. CRAIGI hope so.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it still the policy of the Board of Admiralty not to sell efficient war vessels abroad except on the understanding that they are to be broken up except in this particular case of the "Canada"?
§ Mr. LONGBreaking up is not part of the contract, but every precaution is adopted in order to see that these vessels are not likely to be used against His Majesty's Government. It is quite obvious that if we have ships for sale and other countries want them, if we do not sell them they will buy them from other countries.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes not the right hon. Gentleman see 379 that if we sell those ships abroad it would be an excuse for building more warships in the future?