§ 45. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Minister of Defence whether he will give an assurance that, before proceeding further with expenditure on the base at Singapore, he will consider representations from senior officers on the spot who regard the base as outmoded and indefensible.
§ The Minister of Defence (Mr. A. V. Alexander)When deciding upon the reconstruction of the Singapore base, His Majesty's Government took full expert advice from all appropriate sources.
§ Mr. HughesCan the Minister contradict the statement made in the "Daily Telegraph" that naval officers on the spot have definitely been against this idea? Is he satisfied that we are justified in spending another £800,000 on the base?
§ Mr. AlexanderI do not take my views from newspaper correspondents. I ask for all the expert advice I can get. No 2208 senior officer, as inferred in the Question, has taken a contrary view.
Vice-Admiral TaylorIs it not a fact that the base at Singapore is of the utmost importance in the event of the outbreak of war?
§ Mr. RankinDoes it not seem rather far away from the shores of this country?