SERVICEABLE VESSELS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 18 December 1936, Page 5

SERVICEABLE VESSELS

THIS NOT THE MOMENT TO SCRAP THEM CRUISERS RETAINED (United Press Association—By Electric • Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 18th December, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, 17th December. In the House of Commons, Sir Samuel Hoare announced that the Government was retaining five C Class cruisers. In view of the international situation, this was not the moment to scrap serviceable vessels. He appreciated the sympathetic attitude of the United States and Japan. ANNOUNCEMENT BY FIRST LORD (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, 17th December. Making an announcement in the House of Commons on the retention in service of five over age cruisers, the First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Samuel Hoare said: “For some time the Government has been giving serious consideration to the question of scrapping five overage cruisers to conform with the provisions of the London Naval Treaty of 1930. The United States Government have intimated that if His Majesty’s Government decide to have recourse to Article 21 of the London Naval Treaty to retain these vessels on the ground that the requirements of the nation’s security necessitate this action, no objection will be raised by them. “The final answer has not yet been received from the Japanese Government, but we have reason to believe that their reply will also be favourable.”