§ 53. Mr. Lowasked the Minister of Defence what is the value of arms, vehicles and equipment which he expects to receive from the United States of America by way of military aid; how much will be allocated to the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force, respectively; and if he will give further details of this aid.
§ Mr. ShinwellI am sure that the hon. Member will recognise that security considerations prevent my giving a precise answer to his Question. However, it is hoped that military aid from the United States during the current United States fiscal year in the form of finished items of military equipment will be substantial. Future allocations of this type of assistance will, of course, depend on discussions in the North Atlantic Treaty organisation and on the United States Administration and Congress.
§ Mr. LowDoes the right hon. Gentleman propose to make this information available in any form to Members of the House or to a Committee of the House, because this matter appears to be most important from the point of view of the control of public money here?
§ Mr. ShinwellThere are some security difficulties. The essential thing is to get the material. That is what I am concerned with.
§ Mr. ChurchillBut is it not also important that we should know at least the general figures, showing the value of the help we are receiving in this respect?
§ Mr. ShinwellIt may be that the right hon. Gentleman is right. I am sure, however, that he would not ask for details of the equipment furnished, but rather for the global figure.
§ Mr. ChurchillYes.
§ Mr. ShinwellThis is hardly the time to give such a figure. I will consider the appropriate moment for so doing.
§ Mr. ChurchillHas it not a relevance to the debates we shall be having in the next few weeks on the country's financial position?
§ Mr. ShinwellI should not have thought so, although it is a very important detail. Nevertheless, I should have hardly thought that it would preclude the right hon. Gentleman from participating in the debate.
§ Mr. Harold DaviesIs my right hon. Friend aware of the importance of letting the British public know the ratio of the burden of expenditure on armaments per head of the population compared with that of the United States? Is he aware that this would help the British public to realise the proportion each country is bearing of the burden of international defence?
§ Mr. ShinwellIt is an interesting point, but I can assure my hon. Friend that it has no relevance to the Question.
§ Mr. DaviesOn a point of order. Is not a Member entitled to an answer to a question when, despite the fact that the Minister may not think it is relevant, many members of the public know it to be relevant?
§ Mr. ShinwellBut my hon. Friend will agree that I have to furnish the answer.