22. Vice-Admiral Taylorasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the official announcement that 16-inch guns will be mounted in the two new American 35,000-ton battleships, he can say whether it is our intention to continue to mount 14-inch guns in all new battleships?
§ 25. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received any communication from the Government of the United States of America as to the adoption of the 16-inch gun in the United States of America's Navy; and whether he has any statement to make as to the effect of this decision upon the design of our own ships?
Mr. CooperI am not in a position at the moment to make any statement about the effect of this decision on the design 1240 of our future ships, but the matter is naturally receiving very close consideration.
Vice-Admiral TaylorIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that our policy in the past has been to construct ships of such size and such calibre of guns as we consider necessary, and will he revert to that policy and continue to build ships of the kind that we consider best, and not follow the example of other nations?
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherIs it the case that Japan has decided to instal 16-inch guns in her battleships, or has America decided to do so? Which of the two countries is it that has decided to take this step?
§ Mr. A. HendersonIs the right hon. Gentleman not of opinion that the naval policy of the United States need cause no concern to this country?