§ MR. LAMBERTI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Committee of Imperial Defence have arrived at an authoritative decision as to the force which should be maintained for the defence of the United Kingdom; if so, is there any objection to stating their decision.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not think it would be desirable—I had almost said possible—to discuss questions of Imperial defence by Question and Answer across the Table of the House. This particular Question, as the hon. Gentleman will see, requires a whole speech to answer it, and do not think the House would tolerate, 806 at all events on this occasion, a speech; from me on the subject.