§ 46. Rear-Admiral ADAIRasked the Prime Minister whether a decision has been come to as to the building of capital ships for the Navy in the next financial year; and, if so, will he say what that decision is?
§ Mr. BONAR LAW (Leader of the House)I am not yet in a position to make any statement on this subject.
§ Rear-Admiral ADAIRAre the Cabinet alive to the grave international importance of this question and its grave effect on the finances of the ensuing year, and can they not give us an assurance that before any Naval Vole comes on we shall know something of what their policy is going to be?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNaturally this subject, as I stated in answer to a previous question, will be discussed on the Naval Estimates which will be introduced in the next few weeks.
§ Rear-Admiral ADAIRIn view of the position which this question occupies internationally and financially, I beg leave to give notice that I will raise it on the Adjournment to-night.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the last two Navy Estimates were introduced the First Lord was unable to state what the policy was, and when is the Government going to reach a naval policy?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI think the hon. and gallant Gentleman is mistaken. My right hon. Friend stated what the policy of the Government then was, and I hope it will be possible to state it again this year.
§ Major NALLIs the House to understand that the Government is unable to say what is the use of a battleship?