§ 45. Mr. A. HENDERSONasked the Prime Minister whether the anxiety of the member States of the League of Nations that the rearmament programme of His Majesty's Government should be carried out at the earliest possible date has been expressed verbally or in writing, and whether through the usual diplomatic channels or at Geneva?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)I have every reason to believe that a strong United Kingdom is regarded abroad as constituting a powerful guarantee for peace, but the strengthening of the British armed forces is not a matter on which formal representations are likely to be made by foreign governments to His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. HENDERSONWhat is the justification for the statement of the First Lord of the Admiralty in a speech last Saturday, that every member State of the League of Nations was anxious that the rearmament programme of the Government should be carried out at the earliest possible date?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI rather assumed that the hon. Member had read the speech of my right hon. Friend, and I refreshed my memory on it. I have not consulted my right hon. Friend, but I imagine that his reason for making that statement is the same one that I should have. It is the result of our experience and of the experience which the hon. Member would learn in three months time if he were a member of the Foreign Office in London.
§ Mr. HENDERSONIs it true or untrue to say that every member State has expressed anxiety as to the rearmament programme of his Majesty's Government; have representations been made, and, if so, when were they made?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is answered quite plainly in the reply to the question.
§ Mr. HENDERSONIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Prime Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.