HC Deb 29 June 1938 vol 337 c1891
30. Mr. Loftus

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the recently announced decision of the Admiralty that the convoy system will be used from the outbreak of war, he will reconsider the policy of subsidising and encouraging the mounting of guns on our Mercantile Marine?

Mr. Cooper

No, Sir. The adoption of the convoy system does not preclude the desirability of arming our merchant service for two main reasons. In the first place, the armed merchantmen will strengthen the resistance of the convoy itself against attack, and in the second place it must not be assumed that every merchant ship will be at all times and in all places protected by convoy.

Mr. Noel-Baker

If merchant ships are in any case to be armed, is it not desirable to start the training of the men?

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