§ 10. Commander SOUTHBYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the recent curtailment of the cruiser-building programme and the fact that the four vessels of the "Hawkins" class are four of the most up-to-date and efficient cruisers in His Majesty's Navy, he is now in a position to give an assurance that they will not be scrapped as a result of any deliberations at the Naval Conference?
Mr. ALEXANDERUnder the rules for replacement which have been agreed upon at the Conference, two of the ships of the "Hawkins" class will have reached the age at which they may be replaced in 1934 and 1935, respectively. It has been agreed that the remaining 2879 two, whose completion was delayed owing to conditions following the War, may be replaced in 1936.
§ 15. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the tonnage of the present cruiser fleets of this country, the United States of America and Japan, respectively, on the Washington basis of measurement, and counting only ships built and less than 20 years old?
Mr. ALEXANDERThe standard tonnage of the cruiser fleets of the British Empire, United States of America and Japan, counting only ships built and less than 20 years of age, is to-day:
| British Empire | 327,111 |
| United States of America | 90,500 |
| Japan | 166,815 |
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that under the figures that he has agreed on at the Naval Conference every one of these three fleets will be increased, and the American fleet very substantially?
Mr. ALEXANDEROf course, that is putting the most unfair construction on the result of the Naval Conference. The hon. and gallant Member has asked for figures of ships built at the moment. He takes no account of ships building, or of programmes, or the position that would have been arrived at in 1936 had the programme been continued. I hope that such suggestions will cease.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am the best judge of whether my question is fair or not? Was this not a Conference for the limitation and reduction of armaments?
Mr. ALEXANDERIt was certainly a Conference for limitation, and limitation has proceeded to such an extent that President Hoover announced that the result of the Conference would save his country £200,000,000 in arriving at parity.
§ Colonel GRETTONIs the period of life of 20 years for cruisers a correct one?
Mr. ALEXANDERI wish that hon. Members would await the full details which will be given to the House. Twenty years is to be the general life, but there will be some detailed variations.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLWhen will those details be given?
Mr. ALEXANDERThe Write Paper that was mentioned the other day, I hope, will be in the hands of the House either this afternoon or to-morrow morning, and, if any further details are required, it will be open to Members to ask for them.