Why the 10-inch gun is an awkward naval compromise

Why would Britain avoid a 10-inch gun on its hypothetical large cruiser?

It combines battleship-gun handling penalties with less power than a larger weapon and a slower rate of fire than a 9.2-inch gun.

The 10-inch gun is an awkward middle choice for a British large cruiser. Shells and machinery at that scale already carry many of the handling and loading penalties associated with 12- or 14-inch weapons. The gun still lacks the hitting power of the larger calibres. A 9.2-inch alternative can fire materially faster, leaving the 10-inch system with few compensating advantages despite its attractive position on paper.