§ 50. Lieut. - Commander FLETCHERasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he will consider the advisability of setting up a committee, other than a sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence, to inquire whether the capital ship is still a necessary unit of the Fleet before the construction of such ships at a cost of some £8,000,000 each is embarked upon?
§ The MINISTER for the CO-ORDINATION of DEFENCE (Sir Thomas Inskip)No, Sir. The Committee of Imperial Defence is the proper machinery to use for any investigations of this nature which His Majesty's Government think necessary to undertake.
§ Lieut.-Commander FLETCHERIs it the case that the construction of these ships will be proceeded with solely on the advice of Naval officers which will naturally be somewhat prejudiced?
§ Sir T. INSKIPAny decision that is made is taken by His Majesty's Government on their responsibility.