Could treaty navies build new carriers from the keel up?

Could the French or Italians build aircraft carriers from the keel up after the Washington treaty?

Yes. New carriers were permitted; many navies used conversions first while learning carrier operations.

France, Italy, and other signatories could construct aircraft carriers from the keel up within the Washington treaty rules. The pause in capital-ship construction did not prevent that option. Several navies instead began with conversions while learning carrier operations and aviation skills. Hermes supplies the British example of purpose-built carrier construction.