(by Private Notice) asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what decision has been arrived at in the matter of new capital ships; and what sums it is proposed to expend?

No decision has yet been reached pending the final conclusion of the Washington Conference, and I am not at present in a position to answer the second part of the question.

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether it is his intention to wait for the reply of France in the matter of possible naval reductions before definite orders are given to our shipyards to suspend or alter work which is in hand?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The capital ship contracts have been suspended. No further action is being taken pending the result of the Washington Conference.

Have the Government considered the possibility of buying the "Mutso" from Japan and proposing to pay them at some subsequent time big interest on the sum involved?

The hon. and gallant Member should give notice of that question.

(by Private Notice) asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the report that two new battleships are to be proceeded with as a result of the Washington Conference and that these ships are to be of considerably less tonnage than those for which contracts were recently entered into by the Admiralty; and will he further say assuming that it is, or may be, the intention of the Admiralty to construct two new battleships on the reduced basis of tonnage, whether in the altered circumstances it will now be possible to utilise for this purpose the slip at Devonport where the discharges from the dockyard are causing great local distress and unemployment?

Is the hon. Gentlemen aware that the same claim can be put forward very much more strongly for the Port of Barrow-in-Furness?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I am afraid it would not be practicable to construct one of the suggested new ships at Devon-port.

May I ask whether the ships were not originally sent to the Clyde because of the industrial and political unrest in Glasgow, which it was hoped to allay by building them there, and does not that still apply?

No. They were sent to the firm which offered the lowest tender.

Were they not sent to the Clyde because of the splendid work which is done there in building ships better and cheaper?

Is it proposed to compensate the shipbuilders for the two ships which have been abandoned, and then to enter into two new contracts because two new ships are required?

The hon. and gallant Member must not go into a question of propaganda.