§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what assistance is being given or is proposed by any colony towards the restoration of our armed strength, whether by money, arms, or men; and, if the answer is none, will he find out what they each could do in the present emergency, bearing in mind the changed conditions of warfare?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI must demur to the right hon.. Gentleman's suggestion that the Colonies render no assistance to Imperial defence. They have assisted and are assisting in that task (1) by the1534W maintenance of local forces, such as the Royal West African Frontier Force and the King's African Rifles; (2) by regular contributions towards the cost of British garrison troops or Imperial defence generally; (3) by voluntary money contributions towards the cost of general Empire defence. The right hon. Gentleman no doubt remembers that Malaya has made very generous gifts as a contribution towards the cost of the Singapore Base. Flying clubs have been started in some dependencies and others are under consideration, and the part that the Colonial Empire does and can play in Imperial defence is fully appreciated.