§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is to be the armament, speed, tonnage and armour protection of the five new additional cruisers; and when does he anticipate that they will be launched and when completed?
§ Mr. AMMONIt has been the genera? practice to give the design particulars of chips building in the Estimates for the year in which the vessel is expected to complete. It is in the public interest that this procedure should be adhered to, except when it is necessary to make a departure in certain respects to comply with the terms of the Washington Agreement. The contracts provide for delivery in three years after order and the ships should be completed by May, 1927. The 399W date of launching is fixed by the builders and no forecast can yet be made.