§ 46. Commander SOUTHBYasked the Prime Minister whether he will undertake to obtain the assent of this House before concluding any Three-Power agreement as a result, of the Naval Conference?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have nothing to add to the statement which I made on Thursday last, to which I would refer the hon. and gallant Member.
§ Commander SOUTHBYCan the right hon. Gentleman say why he has departed from the policy set forth in his broadcast message to the United States to conclude an agreement, not between three or four Powers, but between the whole five Powers?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy statement was that I would do everything in my power to get a Five-Power agreement, and I have done that.
§ 50. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Prime Minister whether the White Paper promised in connection with the Naval Conference will contain the points of view of France and Italy with respect to the reduction of naval strength?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe White Paper will set out only the agreements which concern us.
§ Rear-Admiral BEAMISHWill the Prime Minister inform the House when we are likely to receive the White Paper?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI hope to have the first draft to review some time to-day. It will be a day or two before it will be published.
§ 52. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Prime Minister whether he can now make a full statement with regard to the suspended 1930 naval shipbuilding programme, which was held up pending the result of the Five-Power Conference, and give particulars of the vessels with which it is intended to proceed?
Mr. ALEXANDERI have been asked to reply. I have nothing to add to the statement on this subject on page two of my Statement Explanatory of the Navy Estimates (Command Paper 3506).
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs any instruction to be laid down by the right hon. Gentleman?
Mr. ALEXANDERI think the hon. Member is rather too eager. We have not yet finished the Naval Conference.