§ 10. Mr. Ede (for Lieut.-Commander Fletcher)asked the First Lord of the 1584 Admiralty, to what foreign Powers particulars of His Majesty's ships "King George V" and "Prince of Wales" have been furnished; and whether such particulars will be furnished to the House?
§ Sir S. HoareAs the hon. and gallant Member is doubtless aware, certain information concerning ships that have been laid down has been communicated for a number of years, under the Washington and London Naval Treaties, to certain other Governments. The communication of this information is continued under the Protocol of signature to the London Naval Treaty (1936) to the Governments of France and the United States of America. Similar information is exchanged with the German Government as an outcome of the Anglo-German Naval Agreement of 1935. Particulars concerning the two ships referred to in the question will be furnished in the usual way in the annual return of Fleets of the British Commonwealth of Nations and foreign countries, which will be laid before the House shortly before the introduction of the 1937 Navy Estimates.
§ Sir Percy HarrisCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the information furnished by foreign Governments is generally reliable?
§ Sir S. HoareYes, Sir, I think so.
§ Mr. CocksCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the German Government furnished particulars of their new battleships?
§ Sir S. HoareYes, Sir; under the Anglo-German Naval Treaty there is a reciprocal exchange of information.