Referring to Opposition attempts to draw 'a distinction between the -policy of the Foreign office and the Admiralty in regard to sending troops to China, as if they were not united in this, Mr. Bridgeman said it was a complete myth. The miralty responded as rapidly as eould—nobody could say they lost much time—to what the Foreign] Olce asked it to do in order to protect, Britons in Chin
bbe able to sond out ships from which 'The' Admiralty wat very glad. to Janding parties could be dis-outbark ed and whose presence would do great deal to allay. the terrible anwlety under which many Britons wore living in China, The speediness with which the Marines were ready for service in China was very great] testimony to the great efficiency of the magnificent force of Marines Mr. W. ©, Bridgeman mentioned fan {tom of £125,000 as the cost bringing back ships and mon from China, "He hoped they would not be staying there very long but if they wore it would be necessary to. introduce a suppRmentary estimate, 4 Malay States' Contribution The First Lord silso referred to] the "very handsome contribution" from the Malay States towards the construction of the Singapore Base, (Cheers).
Although all the money did not go to the Admiralty, as some had go to the War Office and some to the Air Ministry, he was exceptionally fortunate this year in that they were to get two year's payments in one year's, 'Therefore their share of the Malay States' contribution was £576,000 during the year} for which he had to estimate.
Mr. Bridgeman quoted the Imperial Conference resolution with regard to Singapore as evidence that Australia's interest in the Singapore Base was as keen as ever. The totali cost of the Base had been reduced from £11,000,000 to. £7,760,000, cluding the cost of the new floating dock now being constructed.
In enumerating the contributions from the Straits Settlements, Hong-Kong and the Malay States, towards the cost of the Singapore Base, Mr. Bridgeman said they would be' glad Yo. receive further contributions. (Cheers and Laughter), The sums required this year for the Singapore Base were, for the construction of the floating dock £896,000, other works £284,000, of which the Malay States had contributed £576,000, Teaving £43,000 to be found by the British tax-payer.
Mar. 14. disarmament conference the three Principal navy Powers should enter Rite a convention of mutual assistance inthe. event of unprovoked Fateression. Japan, he ald, might gree to safeguard the British sea Tocte in the Pacific while Bri safeguards Japan's trade route in thew "Mediterranean. Similarly America might safeguard the British trade routes in the West Atlantic, Britain guaranteed the} Mediterranean.
Mr. Bellairs (Conservative) suggested that Jepan might be given an expansion of territory if she greed to disarm.
After a Labour amendment to reduee"the personnel had been rejected pesatin eerie are
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.