HC Deb 08 February 1939 vol 343 cc914-8
3. Mr. Mander

asked the Prime Minister whether any prior information was received by the British Government that the new German 10,000-ton cruiser "Seydlitz" was to be armed with 8-inch guns, in view of the fact that it had been agreed that no guns bigger than 6-inch should be mounted?

6. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Prime Minister whether any representations have been made to the German Government concerning the mounting of 8-inch guns on the new cruiser "Seydlitz," contrary to the understanding reached at the time of the Anglo-German Naval Treaty; and whether this treaty is still considered as being in operation?

7. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Prime Minister on what date the German Note concerning the Anglo-German Naval Agreement was received, what action was taken on it, and what is the present position?

70. Sir Charles Cayzer

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the reasons given by the German Government for their decision to avail themselves of the provisions of the Anglo-German Naval Agreement in order to build up their submarine tonnage to the level of the British Empire; and to sub- stitute 8-in. guns for 6-in. guns in two cruisers now building?

72. Brigadier-General Spears

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the German cruiser "Seydlitz" is to be equipped with 8-in. guns; and whether this is in accordance with the Anglo-German Naval Treaty?

73. Mr. Mander

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty on what date the German Government first notified the British Government of Germany's intention to construct submarine tonnage up to the British total; and whether there was in this connection any mention of the friendly discussion which is stipulated in the Anglo-German Naval Agreement?

74. Mr. Graham White

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether there is any provision in the Anglo-German Naval Agreement which precludes the building of cruisers armed with 8-in. guns?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr. Shakespeare)

The House will recall the communiqué which was published last week regarding the steps taken by the German Government to exercise certain rights conferred upon them by the Anglo-German Naval Agreements of 1935 and 1937. Under the Anglo-German Naval Agreement of June, 1935, Germany became entitled to build up to 35 per cent. of British tonnage in sub-category (a) cruisers, that is, cruisers with guns above 6.1 inch. This entitled her to tonnage sufficient for five such ships. Under the London Naval Treaty of 1936 a holiday in the construction of this type of vessel was agreed upon, and, as their contribution to this limitation, the German Government expressed willingness to forgo their right to construct their fourth and fifth ships of this class provided that no further cruisers of sub-category (a) were laid down by any other Power. In 1937, however, the Government of the U.S.S.R. announced that they intended to build a number of sub-category (a) cruisers. This led the German Government to inform His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom in July, 1937, that they could no longer maintain their intention not to construct their fourth and fifth sub-category (a) cruisers, though for the present they would not exercise this right.

In July, 1937, the German Government formally accepted the principles of the London Naval Treaty of 1936 which were thereupon embodied in the Anglo-German Naval Agreement of 1937 (Cmd. 5519). But in an exchange of notes it was specifically recognised that they were entitled to build these two additional cruisers or to convert two cruisers from sub-category (b) to sub-category (a) provided that their decision to do so was communicated to His Majesty's Government before the work of construction or conversion was begun; and special provision for the exercise of this right was made in the Anglo-German Agreement of 1937. On the 13th December last the German Government informed His Majesty's Government that they had decided to exercise their right to convert two cruisers known as K and L from sub-category (b), that is, cruisers with guns below 6.1 inch to sub-category (a). Work on converting these cruisers to carry 8-inch guns is understood to be in progress. Cruiser K was launched as the "Seydlitz" on 19th January this year when it was also publicly announced that she was to be armed with 8-inch guns.

Submarines.

Under Clause 2 (f) of the Anglo-German Agreement of June, 1938 (Cmd. 4930), the German Government had the right to possess a submarine tonnage equal to that of the British Commonwealth of Nations, but they undertook that they would not exceed 45 per cent. of this tonnage unless a situation arose which, in their opinion, made it necessary to do so The German Government undertook before exercising this right to give notice to this effect to His Majesty's Government, and agreed that the matter should be the subject of friendly discussion before the right was exercised.

On 13th December last the German Government notified His Majesty's Government of their desire to increase their submarine tonnage to equality with that of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and the friendly discussions visualised in the treaty were held in Berlin on 30th December between representatives of the Naval Staffs of the two countries. Subsequently the German Government informed His Majesty's Government that they adhered to their decision to convert the two cruisers, and to build up to equality in submarine tonnage. They have, however, stated that the increase in submarine tonnage from 45 per cent. to 100 per cent. of the British tonnage would be gradual.

The German Government's standpoint in reaching these decisions was stated to be that in the present condition of international affairs they were no longer prepared to refrain from developing their naval forces to the full extent permitted by the treaty.

The increase in German submarine tonnage does not affect the over-riding condition that the total tonnage of the German Navy shall not exceed 35 per cent. of the aggregate tonnage of the British Commonwealth of Nations.

Mr. Mander

Can my hon. Friend say what was the situation which had arisen to cause the German Government to feel that it was necessary to build up to the full submarine limits?

Mr. Shakespeare

It is not specifically mentioned, but a general statement was made, to which I have referred.

Mr. Mander

The hon. Member said in the earlier part of his reply that they were afraid of Russia. Are we to understand that the whole change is due to Germany's fear of Russian developments?

Mr. Shakespeare

I do not think I said that. If my hon. Friend will read the statement he will see that that is not an accurate description. The German Government informed us positively that they had no nation in mind in taking this step. They were simply claiming the benefit of a Treaty always recognised by us to be their right.

Mr. A. V. Alexander

Can the hon. Member say whether there is any doubt at ail in the mind of the Board of Admiralty that this increased submarine tonnage can only be aimed at Britain and France? If that is so, what steps do the Board of Admiralty propose to take immediately to be able to protect British shipping and British interests against the increased threat?

Mr. Shakespeare

The Admiralty cannot agree that the exercise of a right by a Power with which we have a treaty is a threat to us or to anybody else. As regards the second part of the right hon. Gentleman's question, perhaps he will await the presentation of our Navy Estimates, when clearly we take account of the factors of naval development in any part of the world.

Mr. Gallacher

Is it not clear that the new situation that has determined the extraordinary activity in German naval building, is the new situation in the Mediterranean, and is it not clear that these conversations mean nothing, and that Germany is not concerned with them?

Mr. Cocks rose—

Mr. Speaker

Any further questions on this subject had better be put on the Order Paper.

Mr. Cocks

May I ask one question—whether in view of the increased submarine programme of the German Navy the British Government will consider increasing their destroyer programme and building more destroyers?

Mr. Shakespeare

I think I answered that in my reply.