§ 47. Captain EDENasked the Prime Minister if he is in a position to make any statement as to the progress of the Five-Power Naval Conference?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo useful purpose would be served by any statement at the present juncture.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKDoes the Prime Minister not think that a very useful purpose would be served by the country knowing what is going on?
§ 49. Colonel GRETTONasked the Prime Minister if the American delegates at 2090 the Naval Conference are in agreement with the British Government as to the naval strength to establish parity with the United States of America; and, if so, what are the principles and the facts of that agreement?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not think that it would be in the interests of the Conference for me to enter into details of its business at the present time.
§ Colonel GRETTONIs the Prime Minister aware that very definite statements are being made in the public Press, apparently communicated from the United States of America, and can he give the House some information as to whether those statements are correct?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe only information that I can give to the House is that the House should not believe nine-tenths of the statements published in the public Press.
§ Captain EDENSeeing that information is given from time to time by the heads of foreign delegations and by himself, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that he might take us more fully into his confidence?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not think that, as a matter of fact, that statement is quite accurate.