HC Deb 30 June 1938 vol 337 cc2130-2
Mr. A. V. Alexander

(by Private Notice) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any decisions have yet been reached as a result of discussions on escalation with those Naval Powers with whom His Majesty's Government are in treaty relations?

The First Lord of the Adirmalty (Mr. Duff Cooper)

As a result of the escalation discussions which have been taking place during the last three months in virtue of Article 25 of the 1936 Treaty, a protocol providing for a new displacement limitation of 45,000 tons, to replace the existing Treaty limitation of 35,000 tons, was signed to-day (30th June) by representatives of the United Kingdom, France and the United States. The existing maximum gun calibre of 16 inches remains unchanged. Canada, Australia, New Zealand and India not having directly participated in the escalation discussions did not sign the protocol, but with their consent official notes were communicated to the United States and French Embassies in London to the effect that they concurred in the new limitation. This protocol will be published as a Command Paper in due course.

A protocol in similar terms was signed to-day by His Majesty's Government and the German Government. Agreement to the terms of a similar protocol with the Government of Soviet Russia has not yet been received, but it is hoped that a satisfactory reply will be received shortly.

The new upper limit of 45,000 tons is higher than His Majesty's Government had desired, but represents the lowest figure on which agreement could be reached. His Majesty's Government have informed all Naval Powers with whom they are in treaty relations that they do not intend for the present to build any capital ship which exceeds a standard displacement of 40,000 tons, and they trust that the other European Naval Powers will similarly refrain from exceeding this figure, for individual capital ships.

The two British capital ships of the 1938 programme will carry i6-inch guns, and will not exceed a standard displacement of 40,000 tons.

Mr. Belienger

Will this agreement which has been come to with Germany affect in any way the total tonnage agreement between this country and Germany?

Mr. Cooper

No, Sir; the proportions will remain exactly the same.

Mr. Leach

May I ask how Germany comes to be included in this arrangement, in view of the terms of the Versailles Treaty?

Mr. Cooper

A naval treaty has been signed with Germany for some years.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Does the right hon. Gentleman contemplate opening any conversations with the Japanese Government arising out of these agreements?

Mr. Cooper

His Majesty's Government are always ready to discuss this matter with the Japanese Government.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to initiate such a discussion?

Mr. Cooper

That is not a question that I could answer without notice.