HC Deb 26 March 1935 vol 299 cc1738-9
42. Mr. ANEURIN BEVAN

asked the Prime Minister whether the Dominion Governments were consulted before the Defence White Paper was issued?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)

A full summary of the position, as set out in the White Paper, was communicated to His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions before its publication.

Mr. BEVAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to tell the House what were the observations of the Dominion Governments on the White Paper, and did they reach the right hon. Gentleman before the White Paper was published? Are we not entitled to an answer? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Is not the attitude of the Dominion Governments towards this matter of high Imperial policy of interest to everybody in the Empire and in Great Britain, and ought we not to know it?

Mr. PALING

Are we to understand that all that was communicated to the Dominion Governments was the terms of the White Paper itself, and that they were not consulted as to what the terms should be?

The PRIME MINISTER

I have answered that.

Mr. BEVAN

Are we not entitled to have from the Prime Minister a straightforward reply—

Mr. SPEAKER

rose—

Mr. MAXTON

There has been no answer.

Mr. SPEAKER

The question on the Paper was answered.

Mr. MAXTON

Surely when one supplementary question is asked on an important matter of this sort there is nothing improper in asking for an answer to it?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is not a point of Order.

Mr. MAXTON

I was not raising a point of Order. I rose to press for an answer to a supplementary question?

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