33. Captain ARTHUR EVANSasked the Prime Minister if His Majesty's Government propose to reply to the United States War Debt Note with regard to payment in kind by this country; and if 16 they will consider handing over Bermuda, or other island territories adjacent to the United States, which are no longer of defensive value to the British Empire?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for West Islington (Mr. Donner) on the 6th March last, when I stated that there could under no circumstances be any question of such an arrangement.
§ Mr. LAWS0NAs the Government have gone off the Gold Standard, and have defaulted, could the right hon. Gentleman give a guarantee that really the British Empire will be left intact before the next election?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think that my hon. Friend is in some confusion on the matter.
§ Sir A. POWNALLDoes my right hon. Friend realise that the mere asking of a question of this sort is most strongly resented in the loyal Dominions?
Captain EVANSMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman the Prime Minister if there is any doubt in his mind as to any patriotic motives I may have in asking such a question?
Lieut.-Colonel SANDEMAN ALLENWill my right hon. Friend try and persuade the United States to take over the Free State of Ireland instead?
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Island of Bermuda and the other islands adjoining the United States have been of great value to American citizens during the week-ends in that they have been able to get away from the Prohibitionist party and enjoy a liberty which they could not get at home?