§ 51. Mr. SHINWELLasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence the amount contributed per head of population for the purposes of Empire defence by the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and South Africa, respectively; whether he is satisfied that all parts of the Empire are making an adequate contribution in accordance with possible requirements; and whether he is in communication with the Dominion Governments in respect of this matter?
§ Sir T. INSKIPAs regards the first part of the question, I would invite the hon. Member's attention to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for Newton (Sir R. Young) on 19th May. It will be appreciated that so far as the Dominions are concerned their expenditure for defence purposes is a matter entirely for His Majesty's Governments in the respective Dominions, with whom constant touch is maintained on defence as on other matters.
§ Mr. SHINWELLWill the right hon. Gentleman reply to the part of the question which deals with adequate contributions from the Dominions?
§ Sir T. INSKIPI think the last part of my answer does deal with that point. I say that those matters are entirely within the province of His Majesty's Governments in the respective Dominions.
§ Mr. SHINWELLBut will the right hon. Gentleman be a little more explicit and say whether, in the opinion of the Government here, the Dominion Governments are making an adequate contribution to Empire defence?
§ Sir T. INSKIPIt is no part of my duty to express opinions in this House as to the performance of their duties by His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions.
§ Mr. SHINWELLThen why does the right hon. Gentleman occupy the position of Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence?