§ Captain PLUGGEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the present number of submarines belonging to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; what is the number under construction; and whether consideration has been given to the desirability of including Russia within the ambit of any naval limitation agreement?
Lord STANLEYI regret that I am unable to give any reply to the first and second parts of the question, as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics do not at present release any information concerning their naval construction programmes. With regard to the third part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the last sentence of the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent (Mr. E. Smith) on 18th March. It is hoped to include Russia among the Powers mentioned.