45. Mr. Vyvyan Adamsasked the Prime Minister whether, in order to enlarge the deterrents against aggression, and in order to demonstrate our physical ability to make good our unequivocal intention of assisting France to maintain the integrity of her territories, he will substantially increase the establishment of His Majesty's Army?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)The development of the rearmament programme so far as the Army is concerned will be dealt with by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War when introducing the Army Estimates for 1939, and I would ask my hon. Friend to await that occasion.
Mr. AdamsMay I ask the Prime Minister whether the despatch of a Continental expeditionary force forms any part of our plans?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir.
§ Miss WilkinsonWhy is it necessary to increase the forces against aggression when the right hon. Gentleman so actively encourages it?
Mr. AdamsTo what is my right hon. Friend saying "No"? Did my right hon. Friend say "No" to my request that he should answer my question, or in answer to the question whether an expeditionary force forms any part of our plans?
§ The Prime MinisterMy answer referred to my hon. Friend's question whether I could give him an answer, and I said, "No"