Why Royal Navy sloops omitted torpedoes

Why did Royal Navy sloops lack torpedo armament?

Because they were optimized as adaptable low-speed escorts and presence ships; torpedoes and destroyer speed would spend resources on a surface-strike role outside their purpose.

British sloops omitted torpedoes because their many assigned roles imposed different priorities. Their hulls could be adapted for minesweeping, minelaying, net duties, anti-submarine escort, convoy air defense, and oceanographic work while remaining cheap enough for routine presence. Torpedoes and destroyer speed would add machinery, crew, and cost. Those resources would serve a surface-strike mission the ships were not meant to perform.