§ 3. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to state the present position with regard to the world re-armament race; and what additions have been made during the last six months to their combatant forces by the principal nations?
§ Sir J. SIMONI am sure that the hon. Member realises that the subject matter of world armaments cannot be dealt with in the compass of a Parliamentary question and answer. There are no figures available which would enable me to answer the second part of the question.
§ Mr. MANDERCan the right hon. Gentleman tell me of anything which will enable me to spot the winner of this race?
§ 35. Mr. MANDERasked the Prime Minister whether he will state the present position of the Government's re-armament plans and the progress that has been made with these in respect of the air?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)The Lord President of the Council, in the Debate on 30th July, 1934, informed Members that there would be many opportunities for discussing the Government's plans when the Estimates were put forward. At the present time, I am afraid that I can add nothing to the Lord President's statement beyond assuring the hon. Member that the progress in respect of the Air Force is being made in accordance with the Government's plans which have already been announced.
§ Mr. MANDERIn view of the fact that armaments throughout the world are going up and up and up, what steps are the Government taking to render this unnecessary?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am very glad to find that the hon. Member is in favour of an increase of armaments of a defensive kind.