§ 46. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Prime Minister whether the statement by the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence at Fareham, on 28th February, that our armed forces will never be used except in defence of undertakings we have given to protect, collectively, France, Belgium, or, on the other hand, Germany if anybody were to attack Germany, represents the policy of His Majesty's Government?
§ The Prime MinisterThe question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman is apparently based on an incomplete summary of the statement made by my right hon. Friend on the occasion in question. In his statement, my right hon. Friend based himself on the speech of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at Leamington on 20th November, and summarised and in part quoted a passage from that speech which had been already quoted by me in the course of the Debate on 18th February last. That speech, as has already been stated, represents the policy of His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. Garro JonesIs it not rather unfortunate that the House has to rely for these statements of public policy on speeches made at Leamington and other places in the country and not in this House?
§ The Prime MinisterI would remind the hon. Member that that speech was twice specifically quoted in this House.
§ Mr. Garro JonesWhy was it not made originally in this House with the authority that should always attach to speeches made at that Box?