HC Deb 30 November 1936 vol 318 c837
48. Mr. NOEL-BAKER

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have yet decided what action they will take to implement the recommendations made in the report of the Royal Commission on the Private Manufacture of Arms?

The PRIME MINISTER

The report of the Royal Commission is still under Examination, and until His Majesty's Government have had an opportunity of considering the results of this examination, they are not in a position to decide what action they will take to implement the recommendations made in the report.

Mr. NOEL-BAKER

In view of the fact that the Government are this year purchasing about £80,000,000 worth of munitions, the greater part of which comes from private firms, and that the Royal Commission recommended, in the interests of the defence of the nation, that their proposal should be adopted, therefore—

Mr. SPEAKER

That is a very long question.

Mr. NOEL-BAKER

I was going to end it by asking if the Government regard it as a matter of urgency to reach a decision on the matter.