§ 7. Commander MARSDENasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty intend to make use of the escalator clause of the London Naval Treaty for the purpose of retaining for service in His Majesty's Fleet the cruisers "Hawkins," "Effingham," "Frobisher," and "Vindictive"?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLIt would be premature to make any statement on this subject pending the holding of the Naval Conference, which we hope will take place this year.
§ Commander MARSDENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many people in this country who are very much concerned about the fate of these four ships, which have many years of useful service before them, and cannot he regard the matter quite independently of the opinions and feelings of other countries?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLI hope that my hon. and gallant Friend will not press me on this subject. We are in the middle of very delicate negotiations. He can be quite sure that the Admiralty have all these things in mind.