§ 24. Mr. PONSONBYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has taken into consideration the large amount of public expenditure involved in assisting to maintain the five armour-plate manufacturing plants which are not now required, but will be required to resume certain classes of shipbuilding when the Washington Convention expires in 1931; and what steps he proposes to avoid this expenditure?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe hon. Member's question appears to be based on a misapprehension. The Admiralty are only paying for armour actually ordered and are paying for this at a reasonable rate considering the smallness of the quantities. I think the country is to be congratulated on being able to retain a plant which is of immense national importance on such terms.
§ Commander BELLAIRSWhen a question purports to give the information 1233 that the Washington Convention expires in 1931, should it not be accurate, and say that it expires at the end of 1936?