§ 49. Mr. LYNCHasked the Prime Minister whether the War Cabinet has considered all the possibilities of an invasion of this country; and, if so, seeing that the qualities of prevision and decision and the capacity of thinking out adequate plans are essential even to the existence of the nation, he will reconsider, in the light of recent utterances by Field-Marshal Viscount French, the question of retaining that officer in the position which he now occupies?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I do not understand the second part of the hon. Member's question, but the Government have every confidence in Lord French as Commander-in-Chief of the Home Forces.
§ Colonel CLAUDE LOWTHERDoes the Government consider that Field-Marshal Viscount French was justified in giving expression to these alarmist views, and, if so, what step has the Government taken to safeguard this country from invasion?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI do not know to which alarmist speech my hon. and gallant Friend refers.
§ Colonel LOWTHERHas not the right hon. Gentleman read the speech which was published in every newspaper?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo.
§ Colonel LOWTHERWill the right hon. Gentleman read it if I send it to him?
§ Mr. ROWLANDSWill the Government censor some of these speeches before they are delivered?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI shall be glad if my hon. Friend can suggest any method of doing so.
§ Mr. ROWLANDSWill the right hon. Gentleman have the speeches submitted to him before they are delivered?
§ Mr. BILLINGWill they be censored before they are published