§ 80. Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he can make a statement indicative of the Government's present information in regard to the military, naval, and air strength of Germany and the approximate rate of its growth?
§ The Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence (Sir Thomas Inskip)I would refer the hon. Member to the information given in the latest edition of the League of Nations Armaments Year Book for 1937. As regards the naval strength, I would also refer him to the Command Paper "Fleets" (Command No. 5666) which was presented last month. His Majesty's Government have other information from a variety of sources, which it is not possible for me to give.
§ Mr. Garro JonesDoes that mean that the right hon. Gentleman is not prepared to give to the House such information in relation to the air strength, in particular, of Germany upon which his whole armament proposals, or a large part of them, are based?
§ Sir T. InskipI am not prepared to give the information referred to in the last part of my answer which we have obtained from a variety of sources.
§ Mr. Garro JonesDoes that mean that we shall not be presented before considering the Defence Motion this afternoon with any Government estimate of the strength of the German air force?