HC Deb 26 June 1935 vol 303 cc1120-2W
Mr. COCKS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the amount of tonnage in naval construction represented by 35 per cent. of the British total in the following categories respectively, capital ships, cruisers, and destroyers; what is the amount represented by 45 per cent. of the British submarine tonnage; and what is the amount represented by 35 per cent. of the aggregate British tonnage?

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL

On the tonnages allowed by the Washington Treaty as amended by the London Naval Treaty on 31st December, 1936, 35 per cent. of the British total of capital ship, cruiser and destroyer tonnages will be 166,163 tons, 118,650 tons and 52,500 tons respectively. On the same basis 45 per cent. of the British submarine tonnage is 23,715 tons. 35 per cent. of the aggregate British tonnage allowed by these treaties on 31st December, 1936, will be 403,008 tons. After 31st December, 1936, the tonnage allowed to Germany will be based on paragraph 2 (a) of the agreement of 18th June, 1935.

Mr. COCKS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, in connection with the Anglo-German Naval Agreement, whether the five German warships of the "Deutschland" type are to be reckoned in the battleship or the cruiser category?

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL

Under the definitions contained in the Washington Treaty for the limitation of naval armaments, which are still in force, the "Deutschland" and her sister ships are in the capital ship category. Under the definitions proposed by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom for a future treaty, which are contained in Annex I to Chapter 2 of Part II, Section II of the British Draft Disarmament Convention (Command 4279), they will remain in that category.