Why Britain cannot evade limits through Dominion transfers

Could Britain distribute surplus capital ships among Dominion navies instead of scrapping them?

Not outside the treaty allocation; Australia might operate Tiger on Britain's behalf, but transferring modern ships could not be used to escape the limits.

The treaty would still count ships operated by Dominion navies and prevent transfer from becoming a device for evading British limits. Canada, India, and South Africa lacked either the political appetite or naval structure to absorb major capital ships. Australia was the credible operator because it already maintained a fleet capable of using a battlecruiser. An older 13.5-inch ship such as Tiger could provide regional presence without the greater provocation of placing a modern 15-inch ship near Japan, but it would remain inside Britain's allocation.