§ LORD ADDISONMy Lords, may I ask the Leader of the House a question of which I have given him private notice, namely, whether His Majesty's Government can give an early opportunity to this House to discuss the position in the Far East and the escape of the three German capital ships from Brest through the Channel to their home ports, and other matters affecting the conduct of the war?
§ LORD MOYNEMy Lords, I think the Leader of the Opposition has interpreted the convenience of your Lordships by not asking for a statement on these matters to-day. The Minister of Defence has already, to-day, said all that can be said at this stage about the Far Eastern campaigns and the battle of the Channel. Many of your Lordships heard what he said, and others have no doubt read it on the tape. It would clearly be best for us to have time to consider the information which is available and to make our comments after reasonable opportunity for mature consideration. I hope it may be possible to rearrange our Order Paper so that we may have a discussion on the subjects the noble Lord wishes to raise on the first sitting day next week.