§ 45. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the American naval budget has been reduced by the Legislature by, approximately, £11,200,100; and whether it would be possible to make any corresponding reduction in British naval expenditure in consequence?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Ammon)I have been asked to reply. The reduction of £11,200,000 referred to in the hon. and gallant Member's question appears to represent a reduction made by the budget officer in the naval appropriations, asked for by the United States naval authorities for 1925–26. These estimates have not yet been presented to Congress, but on the 309 assumption that the reported reduction is finally accepted and passed into law, the total naval appropriations for 1925–26 will be approximately the same as in 1924–25. In these circumstances, the second part of the question does not arise.