§ 39. Captain Viscount CURZONasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the deputation from the Parliamentary Air Committee to be received by the Committee of Imperial Defence will not include any representative able to speak for the naval side of the case; and whether, in view of the importance of the subject and of the fact that the Royal Navy is very much involved in the consideration of the problems of the air, he will allow an opportunity for certain members of the Parliamentary Navy Committee to appear before the Committee of Imperial Defence and state their views on the naval aspect of the problem of air defence?
41. Major-General Sir J. DAVIDSONasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the deputation from the Parliamentary Air Committee to be received by the Committee of Imperial Defence will not include representatives able to speak from the Navy and Army sides of the case; and whether, in view of the importance of the subject and the fact that all three Services are closely involved in the problems of the air, he will allow an opportunity for certain members of the Parliamentary Army Committee to appear before the Committee of Imperial Defence and state their views on the military aspects of the problems of air defence?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe most convenient method would appear to be for the Parliamentary Navy Committee, in the one case, and the Army Committee in the other, to get in touch with the Parliamentary Air Committee with a view to a single deputation on the subject.
§ Viscount CURZONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Parliamentary Navy Committee has met, and endeavoured to get into touch with the Parliamentary Air Committee, and they do not want the representatives of the Navy to accompany them?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am sorry that there should be any difference of opinion. We are only anxious to get as much assistance as possible from Members 1450 who take an interest in this matter to help us to come to a right conclusion We are anxious to hear what can be said by those who are more cognisant of the Navy than the Army, and also those who are specially interested in the Army side of the question. I think that hon. Members who take an interest in the matter in both capacities should be able to come to an agreement as to the deputation to be received by the Committee of Imperial Defence.
§ Viscount CURZONWill the deputation to be received by the Committee of Imperial Defence not be limited to four persons?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think it would be a mistake to have more; that is quite ample—two for one point of view, and two for the other.
§ Viscount CURZONIf the Parliamentary Air Committee do not wish the Navy representatives to accompany them, may I bring the matter to the notice of the right hon. Gentleman again?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes.
Captain BENNCould not the right hon. Gentleman give an additional Supply Day to this very important Service?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes; if there be a general desire, the Government will try to find a Supply Day for the purpose. But I do hope before they come that the representatives of the Air Committee in this House will be able to accommodate their views to those of the other gentlemen mentioned, and present their case together before the Committee of Imperial Defence. We should like to have the matter examined by the Committee of Imperial Defence before the discussion in this House.