asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will arrange for conferences in London of naval attachés to British embassies, similar to the conferences of military attachés which are held from time to time.

Mr. Dugdale:

The question whether such conferences would, on balance, prove to be of advantage in the case of naval attachés is under examination.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that not only military attachés but air attachés meet in London at least once a year, and should not the Royal Navy be in the van in this matter?

Mr. Dugdale:

I am aware of that, and we consider that there may be an advantage in that suggestion, and we will look into the matter further.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he thinks that we might obtain from the foreign naval attachés such information as we cannot get in the House of Commons?