§ 28. Mr. Platts-Millsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty in consequence of what provision and of which treaty or agreement is the United States submarine "Dogfish" to spend a month with the destroyer flotilla of the British Home Fleet; and whether he is 358 satisfied that the security of the antisubmarine detection devices in the Firth of Clyde will not be compromised by the presence there of this warship of a foreign Power.
§ The Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr. John Dugdale)The arrangement to which the hon. Member refers is not the subject of any treaty or agreement. The answer to the second part of the Question is, "Yes, Sir."
§ Mr. Platts-MillsIs it not clear that the Admiralty, of course in agreement with the Tories, are conniving at the first stages of the military occupation of our country?
§ Mr. SpeakerThere was an imputation in that supplementary question and the hon. Member must obey the rules for supplementary questions.
§ Mr. Platts-MillsOn a point of Order, Mr. Speaker, may I be permitted to complete my question and ask the latter part, which is not subject to your Ruling? Does the hon. Gentleman realise that if he were to announce openly to the country the effect of this kind of action, it would be denounced and opposed by millions of British people?
Mr. J. P. L. ThomasIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this example of close co-operation between the Royal Navy and the navy of the United States of America will be welcomed by the whole country as showing that the North Atlantic Pact has teeth?