§ Colonel YATEasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of his assurance that the naval defence of the Eastern dependencies, as well as that of the self-governing dominions, will be considered at the Imperial Conference, the question of the co-operation and contribution for naval defence of the Eastern dependencies will directly or indirectly arise; and whether, in view of the fact that the coming Conference will be the last before 1915, and of the urgent importance, in the interest of both dependencies and dominions, of some comprehensive scheme of co-operation in defence being determined on at this Conference, as suggested by the Premier of New Zealand, he would take steps to ensure that a clear expression of expert opinion on the subject of the individual or collective co-operation of such strategically important units as the Eastern dependencies may be laid before the representatives of the dominions at the Conference for their information and for their assistance in arriving at an efficient policy of combined imperial defence in the East?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe hon. and gallant Gentleman may rely upon it that all relevant considerations, including those which he mentions, will be taken into account.