§ Lieut.-Commander FLETCHERasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether, before reaching a decision to construct new capital ships, His Majesty's Government have had, or will have, the advantage of advice upon the value of such ships from other than naval advisers; and, if so, from whom?
Sir T. I NSKI PBefore new capital ships are laid down His Majesty's Government will have had before them all the relevant information, including the report of the Sub-Committee referred to in the replies which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member on the 1st and 8th of April. It is not usual to give the names of those asked to give evidence before Sub-Committees of the Committee of Imperial Defence, but it may be taken that the Sub-Committee is obtaining evidence from all persons who are likely to assist it in its inquiries, and not from naval witnesses only.