§ 45. Mr. MANDERasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of consulting the leaders of parties in this House to endeavour to arrive at an agreed defence policy that can be recommended to the nation with the backing of all parties?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)In the event of my receiving such a request from the official leaders of the parties in this House, I should certainly give it my sympathetic consideration, but 1311 I have at present no reason to suppose that any request of the kind is likely to be made.
§ Mr. MANDERIn view of the great urgency and importance of our presenting a united front on this question, if we can, would it not be more desirable for the Prime Minister to take the initiative and invite the leaders of other parties to confer with him even before the Adjournment?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have nothing to add to what I have said.
§ Captain Sir WILLIAM BRASSWould it not be very difficult considering that the Opposition parties are against the ordinary defences of the country?