§ 48. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that originally our representatives at Washington agreed not to lay down any new capital ship and this was altered to laying down two capital ships and scrapping four "King George" class capital ships because Japan was retaining one post-Jutland capital ship; whether the Committee of Imperial Defence believe the commencement of these ships this financial year to be vital for such a reason; and whether, seeing that only £127,040 is to be spent on each of them this financial year, the whole matter can be postponed for reconsideration next year, when a much larger expenditure is involved?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, since His Majesty's Government expressed their readiness to accept the original American proposals regarding capital ships. This agreement was, however, contingent on the unqualified acceptance of the proposals by the other Powers concerned. The subsequent insistence of Japan on the retention of the "Mutsu" made a considerable difference 229 in the efficiency of the proposed Japanese fleet, inasmuch as the retention of this vessel gave her two post-Jutland ships ("Mutsu" and "Nagato") of the latest design. As my hon. and gallant Friend will realise, this had the effect of disturbing to an appreciable extent the equilibrium of the American scheme and, as a result, the United States Government felt bound to insist on completing the "Washington" and "Colorado" or two other post-Jutland ships of the "West, Virginia" class. In these altered circumstances the British Government had no alternative, if the approved proportionate ratios were to be maintained, but to build two new ships. This was recognised by the Conference as unavoidable in the circumstances, and provision was therefore inserted in the Naval Treaty accordingly. As regards the second and third parts of the question, the Government, before deciding on the commencement of the two capital ships this financial year, reviewed fully and carefully all relevant considerations.