§ Mr. LONSDALEasked the Prime Minister whether his attention had been called to the letter, dated the 14th April, addressed by the President of the Board of Trade to his constituents; whether this letter was written after consultation with other Members of the Government; and whether he will state the reasons which have led the Government to abandon the view that the two-Power standard is a workable formula to give effect to the maintenance of our superiority at sea, and to regard it as a formula which at the present moment has no meaning?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have seen the letter referred to, which was addressed by my right hon. Friend to his constituents, and, so far as I know, was not written after consultation with other Members of the Government. The Government have not abandoned the view that the two-Power Standard is a workable formula; nor does the statement of my right hon. Friend when read in its context appear to convey that suggestion.
§ Mr. LONSDALEHow does the right hon. Gentleman reconcile the statement that the two-Power standard is a workable formula with the statement of the President of the Board of Trade that it is devoid of meaning?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI pointed out that my right hon. Friend's statement must be read in connection with the context.