NAVAL POLICY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18544, 20 November 1925, Page 9

NAVAL POLICY.

ENQUIRY LNTO Ml DISASTER EXPENDITURE ON SINGAPORE BASE. ,»V CABU--*»MS AStOCIATtOIT—COrTaiO*T.) tkSCTBl'c TIUQIAIg.j '.Received November 19th. 7.20 p.iii.T LONDON. November IS. In answer to several questions in the House of Commons, suggesting an International Conference with a view to the abolition of submarines, which was urged by the chairman of Lloyd's in a/ letter to the newspapers immediately after the Ml disaster. Mr Baldwin said that noihing had occurred s'neo the T\ ashiugtoti Conference, to alter the Government's views, which were expressed there. Mr AY. V. Bridgeinan, First Lord pf the Admiralty, said that since the Ml was refitted on June 15th, no defect in the hull or in the machinery had been experienced. She belonged to a class of submarines universally recognised as exceptionally good in undcr-water control. Ho had not seen the statements attributed to a member of the crew about the difficulty of the Ml making port at previous exercises, but would enquire. Everything would be ted to the Court of Enquiry now sitting. Mr Bridgeinan said that the total expenditure- on the Singapore. Base so far was £117,000. No definite money had been offered by other parts of the Empire, except £250,000 from Hong Kong, which was being drawn upon as required. The. Straits Settlements had bought the land for £146,000.