§ Mr. CHARLES CRAIGasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government still recognises the definition of the two-Power standard as an excess of 10 per cent. in naval strength over the navies of the two next strongest naval Powers?
Mr. BELL AIRSasked the Prime Minister, in view of the uncertainty as to the naval policy of the country, whether he will re-state the ground on which the Government have not included the United States as one of the two next strongest naval Powers; and whether he can state why a different version as to the Government's policy was given on 13th and 23rd November and 17th December?
The HON. MEMBERfurther asked what standard of naval strength the Government propose to substitute for the two-Power standard; and whether it will provide a minimum of at least twice the strength of our chief naval rival, such as existed in regard to France up to the time of the adoption of the two-Power standard in 1888?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)Perhaps I may be allowed to answer questions 46 and 47 by my hon. Friend the Member for King's Lynn at the same time. As I have said before, the matters raised cannot be satisfactorily or adequately disposed of within the limits of an answer to a question. I observe the hon. and gallant Member opposite has obtained an early day for a Motion on the subject, and I shall then take the opportunity of going fully into the whole question.
§ Mr. C. CRAIGMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will guarantee that there shall be no private business set down for that evening to curtail the time for discussion?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI will certainly do my best to arrange as suggested.