§ 45. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Prime Minister if he will institute an ad hoc inquiry to ascertain if the sums voted for national defence are allocated in the most provident proportions?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)I would refer to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, East (Brigadier-General Nation) on this subject on the 30th November last. The object which my right hon. Friend has in mind is very fully considered in the preparation of the Annual Estimates.
§ Mr. LAMBERTIs the Prime Minister quite certain that an allocation of £90,000,000 for the Army and Navy and only £17,400,000 for the Air Estimates is the best effective method for defending this country?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy right hon. Friend will bear in mind the fact that the ratio of new money is in accordance with the development of defence requirements.
§ Mr. LAMBERTCan the Prime Minister assure the House that Cabinet Ministers, with their multifarious duties, have really time to examine this very important question?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI can assure my right hon. Friend that the question is very carefully considered and is prominently in the minds of those who examine the Estimates and decide what the allocation is to be.
§ Mr. MANDERIs it not the policy of the Government to spend nothing on the Air Force at all?