§ Mr. LONSDALEasked the Prime Minister whether any steps have been taken to ascertain the views of Colonial statesmen with reference to a conference on the subject of the naval defence of the Empire?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, Sir, His Majesty's Government have taken steps to ascertain the views of the Governments of the self-governing Dominions as to the holding of an early conference for the discussion of the naval and military defence of the Empire, with special reference to recent proposals for naval defence, received from Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEECan the right hon. Gentleman give the approximate date?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe suggestion is that the Conference should be held in the summer of this year—say in July, and we are awaiting communications from the Colonies.