§ Mr. BYLESasked the Prime Minister whether he has received an official report of the statement made on Tuesday by Baron von Schoen to the Budget Committee of the German Reichstag; whether, in the opinion of the Government, that statement indicates a willingness on the part of Germany to discuss suggestions for the mutual reduction of armaments; and whether it creates a suitable opportunity for renewing in more definite form the British proposals for an Anglo-German understanding concerning the extent and costs of the naval programmes of the two countries?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have received the text of the statement as reported in the German Press. It is the same as has already appeared in translation in the British Press, and repeats what has been known by us to be the view of the German Government ever since the question of I naval expenditure was discussed. It is perfectly well understood that we are prepared either to make or to receive proposals which would reciprocally diminish naval expenditure, or, if that were found impossible, would disarm suspicion in the public mind as to the extent or object of that expenditure, both here and in Germany. But to urge officially proposals of that kind in any quarter where they are not likely to be welcome would in no way improve the prospect.
§ Mr. BYLESWill the right hon. Gentleman seize any favourable opportunity, or even watch for a favourable opportunity, seeing that this question is so enormously important?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, Sir; we have been watching for a long time.