14. Mr. ROBINSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Research Department is investigating the value of capital ships of 10,000 tons in modern warfare; and if he will consider whether further economies could be effected by building smaller and more speedy ships suitable to the modern conditions of sea warfare, as disclosed during the operations of the Great War?
Mr. DAVIDSONThe value of smaller capital ships for modern warfare has been investigated by the appropriate Departments of the Admiralty and by the Naval Staff on several occasions. The hon. Member may, however, rest assured that between now and the time for replacing capital ships under the provisions of the Washington Agreement every consideration and research and experiment that might lead to the adoption of a more economical unit will continue to be fully investigated.