§ 46. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to consent to the appointment of a French General as the supreme commander of the British and French armed forces in the event of war?
§ The Prime MinisterThe question of co-ordination of Command in the various threatres in which His Majesty's Forces might be called upon to co-operate with the French in the event of war necessarily forms part of the conversations between representatives of the two countries, but it would not be in the public interest to give information as to particular aspects of these conversations.
§ Mr. HendersonIs the Prime Minister aware that the French Press has stated that this policy has been determined, and that General Gamelin has been designated as supreme commander, and is the House to understand that that statement is without foundation?
§ The Prime MinisterThe House must not take every statement they see in the Press as being correct.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherCan the Prime Minister give an assurance that in the event of such an appointment being made it will be made in such a manner that the French Commander-in-Chief would be responsible to some inter-allied body and not to the French Government alone?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think it would be in the public interest to discuss future arrangements.