HC Deb 08 February 1938 vol 331 cc841-2
47. Mr. Thurtle

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will reconsider the present practice of exchanging courtesy visits of the experts of the various fighting services with the experts of other Powers who are necessarily potential enemies of this country?

The Prime Minister

I do not accept the hon. Member's assumption that any nation is necessarily a potential enemy of this country. He may, however, rest assured that such courtesy visits as take place are not contrary to the interests of this country.

Mr. Thurtle

Can the Prime Minister give us one reason why, assuming we may possible be obliged to fight these countries—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"]—why we should go out of our way to show them how we propose to do it?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether the same principle is not observed when the hon. Member for Shoreditch (Mr. Thurtle) goes overseas, and when the delegates to the Godless Conference are about to come to London?