§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)To ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the naval arrangements have been concluded between His Majesty's Government and the Commonwealth of Australia; and if he can state what has been the delay in bringing the matter to a close.
(Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The Answer to the Question is in the negative. I can only refer the hon. Member to the reply given in his previous Question on 21st May. As then stated, the subject is an exceedingly complex one, and the scheme put forward by the Australian Government requires much amplification before it can be fully considered from the point of view of its possible adoption as an alternative to the present naval agreement.