§ 27. Commander BELLAIRSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether any estimate has been formed of the respective coastlines of the British Empire, the United States and her possessions, and the French, Italian, and Japanese Empires?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe respective coastlines, including Dependencies and Mandatory areas, are estimated to be, in statute miles, as follow:
| British Empire | … | 84,077 |
| United States | … | 54,910 |
| France | … | 20,000 |
| Italy | … | 9,060 |
| Japan | … | 31,066 |
§ Captain GARRO-JONESMay I ask what possible ratio there can be between the length of coast-line and the defensive needs of any of these countries; and does it not weaken our position if we take our stand upon such a useless formula?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI do not know to what the hon. and gallant Member is referring. I never said whether there was any use in it or not; I merely answered the question which my hon. and gallant Friend nut to me.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake not to go to the expense—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe must get on with the questions on the Paper.