§ 49. Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Prime Minister what were the details of the agreement entered into respecting the stationing of United States armed forces on British soil; and to what extent that agreement involves the use of Britain as a United States strategic base in the event of a world war in which the United States of America is one of the principal belligerents.
§ The Prime MinisterThe informal agreement for the stationing of United States forces in this country provides that they will remain so long as, in the opinion of both the United States and the United Kingdom Governments, their presence in the United Kingdom is desirable in the interests of common defence. The use of bases by these forces in an emergency would be a matter of joint decision at the time by Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government.
§ Mr. DaviesIn view of the increased subservience of this Government to the Government of the United States, will not the Prime Minister take the people of our country into his full confidence in anticipation of our being immolated in the interests of American financiers?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that is a question couched in language which I could not accept. I think that the working of this agreement, which has been supported by Governments of both parties, is in the interests of the common defence of the free world.