§ 90. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the successful conclusion of the Three-Power Naval Treaty, it is proposed to proceed with the new Singapore naval base, and especially with the provision of facilities for docking and repairing the largest battleships?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. A. V. Alexander)As I intimated in the course of the Debate which took place in this House on Christmas Eve (OFFICIAL REPORT, column 2192), this matter will require to be carefully reviewed in the light of the treaty which we are hoping will shortly be signed by all the Powers represented at the London Naval Conference. I can only add that this review will be undertaken with as little delay as possible, and, I need hardly repeat, in full consultation with the overseas Governments of the British Commonwealth concerned.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYHas not the position been very much altered by the policy of the Government, as announced, of looking to the eventual disappearance of the battleship, and what is the use therefore of going on with the battleship docks, and could not that part of the proposals be scrapped?
§ Mr. ALEXANDERI can see no useful purpose in discussing that point at the moment. I can only say that the Government will review the whole situation in consultation with the oversea Governments after the Naval Conference.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYCan we have some assurance that useless expenditure will not take place on this base in view of the new policy of the Government?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLDo we understand that there will be no alteration in the existing policy as declared by the present Government until after the Imperial Conference is held in the autumn?
§ Mr. ALEXANDERI did not say that. I said that we should proceed to consider the question as soon as the Naval Conference is concluded. But whatever is done in the matter will be done in full consultation with the oversea Governments.