British Admiralty ordered motor torpedo boats while using destroyers for escort tasks according to the Dutch magazine Marineblad dated 1938 no. 7

An item referred to the magazine U.S.R. dated 15 September 1938 reporting that the British Admiralty signed contracts for the delivery of total 10-18 ton motor torpedo boats armed with 2 torpedo tubes and some small anti aircraft armament. Maximum speed was approximately 50 knots. It was believed that when a sufficient number was delivered these boats were to be used for torpedo attacks. The destroyers were than more available for escorting battleships.