HC Deb 06 December 1945 vol 416 cc2515-6
45. Mr. Henry Usborne

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of Clause C, page 25 of Cmd. 2768, which reports the Imperial Conference of 1926, it is still the implication that the responsibility for defending the routes which connect the sovereign self-governing States of the British Commonwealth rests solely upon the resources of His Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom; and whether he is prepared to inform the Dominion Governments that the land, sea and air forces required to defend these routes could still be provided from the man power and revenues of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

The Report of the Imperial Conference of 1926 did not state or imply that the responsibility for defend- ing the routes which connect the self-governing countries of the British Commonwealth rests solely upon the resources of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. It has not been, and is not now, the policy of the United Kingdom Government to supply the whole of the manpower for, nor bear the whole cost of, the defence of these routes.

Mr. Usborne

In view of the far-reaching implications of that reply, may I give notice that I intend to raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment?