§ 51. Brigadier Smythasked the Minister of Defence if he will make a statement on the recent tour of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, and in particular on his official conversations in Egypt, Australia, Pakistan and India on Imperial defence matters.
§ Mr. ShinwellHis Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom attach the greatest importance to maintaining the closest relations with the other Commonwealth countries in the field of defence. It was for this reason that the Chief of the Imperial General Staff paid his recent visit to Australia and New Zealand, and took the opportunity to have talks on the way in Egypt, Pakistan and India. These talks were of the greatest value, but I do not propose to enter into details.
§ Brigadier SmythIs the Minister aware that great interest has been taken in this tour of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, and that all we have seen in this House is reports in the Press from different parts of the world? Would it not be more satisfactory if the right hon. Gentleman could give the House an account of the very interesting discussions that took place?
§ Mr. ShinwellI hardly think it is customary to present reports to the House of visits of members of the Imperial General Staff.
§ Brigadier SmythI understand that important conversations took place with the Governments of Pakistan and India on the question of some sort of combined defence. Could the Minister not tell us anything at all about that?
§ Mr. ShinwellIf a specific question is put down, I will do my best to furnish an answer.