§ 45. Mr. SNELLasked the Prime Minister what proportion of the various forms of armaments required by the nation is made by the Government factories and by private firms, respectively?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the hon. Member's question depends, of course, on the definition of the term "armaments." In a matter of this nature, it would, obviously, be contrary to the pubic interest for me to enumerate in detail all the various forms of armaments and then furnish figures showing the exact proportion in each form which is derived from private firms arid from Government factories. I have, therefore, for the information of the hon. Member had the figures computed on a reasonable interpretation of 885 the term "armaments." On this basis of calculation the proportion—over the whole range of war material, excluding ships and aircraft but including their armaments—works out to approximately:
| Government factories | … | … | 1 |
| Private firms | … | … | 2 |
§ Mr. MACLEANCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us how he defines the word "armaments"?
Captain BENNAre we not under bond, according to the Covenant of the League of Nations, to exchange information as to the amount of our armaments?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should like notice of that question.
§ Mr. MACLEANWill the right hon. Gentleman reply to my question?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should like notice of that question also.
§ Mr. MACLEANSurely, there is no need to put down a question? The Prime Minister has taken exception to the definition of the term "armaments," but he has used it himself.
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe hon. Member knows perfectly well that to enumerate what is included in the term "armaments" would take a quarter of an hour's time.
§ Mr. MACLEANIt would be well spent time.