§ 26. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that His Majesty's Government has returned a favourable reply to President Collidge's invitation to a conference on naval armaments, it is proposed to commence the building of any new warships this year; and whether it is proposed to continue work on the 'ships now under construction at the same speed and rate of work as if no naval conference had been called and accepted?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Bridgeman)it is not intended to lay down any of the vessels of the 1927 quota of new construction until late in the year, by which time it is hoped that the result of the proposed conference will be known. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill the First Lord consider again the point raised in the second part of my question, so that we may avoid unnecessary expenditure in the future agreements?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANNo, Sir.