§ 45. Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the established right of this House to be in formed on the financial aspect of proposals involving heavy commitments before a Motion for approval is submitted to it, he will undertake that in the course of the debate on the White Paper a statement shall be made on behalf of the Government indicating the probable cost involved and the method intended to be adopted towards meeting it?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)I will myself take an opportunity in the course of the debate of further explaining the position of the Government upon this matter.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEDoes that mean that we are to have figures or not? I am not clear.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI was going to say "Wait and see," but I will not. There will not be figures, but I think there will be an explanation which is understandable.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEIf there are not figures, am I to understand that what in effect is happening is that, instead of a constructive programme, we are having put before the House a White Paper in the form of a "kite," to enable the Government to test the feeling of the country on the matter?
§ 46. Major Sir ARCHIBALD SINCLAIRasked the Prime Minister whether he can now announce the name for the appointment of Deputy-Chairman of the Committee on Imperial Defence?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRCannot the right hon. Gentleman at least give us this assurance, that the gentleman to be appointed will be a Member of this House, and that he will state the name of this gentleman before the conclusion of the Debate?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is a question which the right hon. and gallant Member has asked me before, and I regret that at this moment I cannot say anything more.
§ Mr. MAXTONIs the Prime Minister having difficulties with this appointment?