§ MR. PIKE PEASE (Darlington)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is intended to reduce the number of officers and men serving in His Majesty's fleet.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONThe hon. Member's Question bears upon the Estimates for the next financial year, and it would therefore be premature to make any statement until those Estimates are presented to the House.
§ MR. PIKE PEASEHave the Government any intention of abandoning the two Power standard? Will the hon. Gentleman say that.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONI cannot make any such statement.
§ VISCOUNT TURNOUR (Sussex, Horsham)Are we to understand that there is to be no reduction before next year?
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONNo; the hon. Gentleman is to understand that any questions relating to next year's Estimates are to be postponed until they are presented en bloc.
§ VISCOUNT TURNOURIs it intended to reduce the number of officers and men serving in His Majesty's fleet?
§ [No Answer was returned.]