26. Mr. Alexanderasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any information to give to this House in regard to the building by Japan of a new series of small battle cruisers carrying heavy guns for use as commerce raiders; and what steps the Board of Admiralty propose to take to deal with such a Japanese naval development?
Mr. CooperThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part, therefore, does not really arise, but the right hon. Gentleman will be aware that the question of Japanese Naval construction is at present under consideration by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom in consultation with the other powers concerned.