§ 24. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what degree of co-operation there is now to be between the navies of the countries signing the North Atlantic Treaty; and what effect he anticipates that the treaty will have on the naval expenditure of this country.
Mr. DugdaleCo-operation between the Royal Navy and the navies of other signatory powers, which is already close and friendly, will, of course, be further stimulated. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given him on 7th April by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury.
§ Mr. HughesIn view of the strength of the American Navy and the co-operation that my hon. Friend has mentioned are we not entitled to look forward to a decrease in naval expenditure?
Mr. J. P. L. ThomasIs not the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the great majority in this country are fully in favour of this increasing co-operation, and surely it is a fact that this co-operation means that expenditure will be less than if we were operating alone?