§ 45. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Prime Minister whether in order to ensure that in matters of national defence this country as a democracy shall not be at a disadvantage compared with countries under a, dictator, he will appoint a committee to consider and report to Parliament as soon as possible how this peril to our national safety can be met, whether by some such expedient as the private French parliamentary national defence committees or otherwise?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir. I see no reason to make any such departure from the normal Parliamentary system.
§ Sir W. DAVISONHas my right hon. Friend's attention been drawn to the fact that by reason of the French secret Parliamentary Committees referred to in the question, French Members of Parliament of all parties are kept fully informed as to the requirements of national defence, and are always willing to vote what is necessary, without any delay; and as an interval of two years, in accordance with a recent statement, was necessary in this country, does he not think it desirable that some inquiry should be made in this matter to see whether we could not do something of the same kind?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf my hon. Friend is good enough to read carefully what I have said on the subject, he will see that the two years had nothing to do with any question that could be affected by the setting up of a committee or otherwise.
§ Mr. BELLENGERDoes the right hon. Gentleman not realise that many Members of this House are under a disadvantage at present because they are not fully aware of all the facts to enable them to form a proper and well-balanced opinion?