§ 12. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any machinery or system exists, or whether there are any facilities for conversations or consultations, between the Admiralty war staff and the French naval staff on defence matters; whether the machinery and organisation existing for this purpose before the war has been liquidated; and whether any similar conversations have taken place since the Armistice with the staff of any other allied or associated navy?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative and to the second part in the affirmative. As regards the third part, no conversations on defence matters have taken place except those that were necessary up to the signing of the Peace Treaties.
§ Mr. DALTONDid any conversations between naval experts take place in connection with the Anglo-French Agreement?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI presume that the hon. Member has read the White Paper. As he knows, different Powers at Geneva were invited to conversations. That is all described in the White Paper. Beyond that nothing has taken place and there is nothing to be said to-day.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWill the First Lord satisfy himself that he is fully informed on this matter, and make particular inquiries as to whether he is more accurately informed than Lord Grey was when he gave a similar answer to similar inquiries before the War?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThis question has nothing to do with "before the War," but after the War.
§ Mr. SAKLATVALAWill the right hon. Gentleman assure us that there were no conversations between the German military and naval departments and Lord Birkenhead?