§ 47. Lieut. - Commander FLETCHERasked the Prime Minister whether, in the event of the contact between the General Staffs envisaged in paragraph 3 of the proposals of 19th March, 1936, maturing, the British General Staff will be accompanied by the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence or some other Minister?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir.
§ Lieut.-Commander FLETCHERMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to bear in mind that French generals are frequently politically-minded while our own generals very wisely do not concern themselves with political matters, and that they are therefore likely to be at a disadvantage in such conversations with the French?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not think such a practice as the hon. and gallant Member suggests would be a good one, for the simple reason that the mere presence of a Minister at any conference of this kind would lend an importance to the conference in the public eyes and in other respects which the conference really has not. A technical conference in that way might become much more serious.
§ Mr. THURTLECan the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that these technical talks will not result in definite commitments until they have been considered by the Cabinet?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat particular point was discussed in the Debate, and an assurance was given to the House which I beg to confirm now.