§ Colonel YATEasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the increasing sea-borne trade of India and the Eastern Crown Colonies, His Majesty's Government would consider the advisability of appointing a special committee, composed of naval and military experts, and of representatives of the India and Colonial Offices, with recent personal administrative experience in India and the Crown Colonies in question, to determine the respective interests and fair share of these Imperial units in Imperial naval defence, and the best method by which their co-operation in the latter could be effected; and whether, in view of the fact that Imperial naval defence would be a matter of discussion at the coming Imperial Conference, he would appoint such a committee as soon as possible, so that the result it arrived at could be laid before the Imperial Conference by the Secretary of State for India, who was to represent India at that conference?
§ The PRIME MINISTERHis Majesty's Government do not propose to appoint such a Committee at the present time. The Crown Colonies already make a considerable contribution towards the cost of the military garrisons maintained in them 476 calculated in proportion to their revenue. The question of Imperial Naval Defence will be discussed at the Imperial Conference in regard to the interests of the Self-governing Dominions, and the consideration of a contribution by India and the Crown Colonies to the Navy does not directly arise.
§ Colonel YATEI beg to give notice that I shall raise the question on the Motion for Adjournment.