HC Deb 17 May 1939 vol 347 cc1393-4
51. Sir Percy Harris

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any decision has yet been taken regarding the scrapping of the two battleships of the "Royal Sovereign" class?

Mr. Shakespeare

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to him on 3rd May, to which I have nothing to add.

Sir Ronald Ross

Now that there is no quantitative treaty limiting our relation to any other fleet what advantage would accrue to this country by scrapping these ships?

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Would it not be better if these vast sums of money which are necessary for the upkeep of these old battleships were spent upon the provision of smaller craft which are so urgently required?

Mr. Shakespeare

This matter was debated at some length on the Navy Estimates, but it is not a question for immediate urgency, as these ships do not fall to be scrapped until the end of 1941.