§ 48. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Prime Minister if the proposal for building a naval base at Singapore at a cost of £11,000,000 has been considered by the Army and Air staffs; if these staffs have approved; and, if so, the date of their respective approvals?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer is in the affirmative. The General staff and Air staff, as well as the Naval staff, took part in the proceedings of the Committee of Imperial Defence on this subject and approved its recommendations. The date of the final recommendation of the Committee that the decision of the late Government be re-affirmed was 14th December, 1922.
§ Mr. LAMBERTTo what decision does the right hon. Gentleman refer?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThey decided in favour of a naval base.
§ Major Sir BERTRAM FALLECan the right hon. Gentleman tell us if the men to be employed are Chinese or white men?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question does not arise.