§ 7. Vice-Admiral TAYLORasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many cruisers, destroyers and submarines can be laid down in accordance with Article 19 of the International Treaty for the Limitation and Reduction of Naval Armament, 1930, in view of ships which will become over-age in 1937, 1938 and 1939?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLArticle 19 of the London Naval Treaty deals only with tonnage, and not with numbers of ships, which will depend on the individual tonnage of the new vessels. The tonnage which will become over-age in the three years mentioned is: cruisers 23,850, destroyers 2,960, submarines 6,395 tons. I should add that Article 19 also prescribes that tonnage may be laid down during the life of the Treaty in replacement of tonnage over-age before 31st December, 1936.
§ Vice-Admiral TAYLORCan my right hon. Friend say as to when this tonnage
§ of commissioned officers and warrant officers, and petty officers and ratings employed in His Majesty's ships "Nelson," "Queen Elizabeth," and the battle cruiser "Hood"; and will he state the annual cost of running each vessel, giving the cost of personnel, ammunition and oil fuel, separately?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLWith the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following are the figures:
§ may be laid down—when the construction of these vessels may be started?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLIn the 1934, 1935, and 1936 building programmes in respect of tonnage which becomes over age in 1937, 1938, and 1939, plus, as I have said, the outstanding tonnage which will be over age on the 31st December, 1936.
§ Colonel GRETTONCan the right hon. Gentleman give the figures of the amount of tonnage which will become obsolete in each of the three years respectively, 1937, 1938, 1939?
§ Colonel GRETTONIn the total, I think.
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLI added them together for convenience. The biggest tonnage, I think, is in 1937. I forget the exact amount, but I know that in 1938 it is 19,000, and in 1939, nothing.