§ 18. Mr. LESTRANGE MALONEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the increase or decrease in the naval Estimates in each of the next five years which would result from fixing the British cruiser-strength at 50?
Mr. ALEXANDERThere are at present 54 British Empire cruisers built, and four in an advanced stage of construction. The effect on British Estimates of fixing the total at 50 must clearly depend on the size of cruisers retained, the type of cruiser built in replacement of those that become obsolete, and the rate at which the change is effected. Decisions on these questions depend on the conclusions of the Naval Conference.
§ Mr. MALONEHas any estimate been made as to whether the cruisers will be of 10,000 tons or smaller?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the original question.