British 9.2-inch cruisers without treaty limits

Without treaty limits on cruisers, would Britain choose 7.5-inch or 9.2-inch guns for its heavy type?

It would likely choose 9.2-inch guns for the heavy fighting cruiser and continue building 6-inch ships for scouting and trade protection.

British pre-treaty categories differ from the later treaty vocabulary. The Hawkins class was conceived as a large light cruiser, rather than the later treaty-defined heavy cruiser. A true 9.2-inch ship would occupy the armoured or heavy fighting role against surface raiders. Smaller 6-inch cruisers would remain essential for scouting and protecting commerce. Removing cruiser limits creates complementary types instead of one universal design.