§ Mr. G. HALLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has noted the intimation made by Mr. Norman Davis that the United States Government would like to see the life of the battleships extended from 20 to 26 years; and whether, in view of the heavy cost of battleships, His Majesty's Government has taken any steps to follow up this statement?
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§ Mr. EDENThis particular proposal was first put forward by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom on the 20th June, 1927, during the Conference at Geneva for the limitation of naval armament which preceded the Disarmament Conference, and has been consistently advocated by them ever since. There is every reason to believe that it will prove acceptable to other Powers.