Opening the debate, Mr. Chamber-loin dwelt on the significance of the fact that, Jor four successive years, the House should have had to discuss the rearmament programme.
Tt was, he thought, no less significant that throughout the country there was a conviction that rearmament could not have been avoided and that the programme must be carried through to its end.
Regarding the finance of the programme, he seid one thing was certain. The £1,500,000,000, which so little time ago they had contemplated, was now insufficient, though it was too soon to say what total would have to be substituted. He was afraid the House must expect a substantial advance on the original estimate.
These were grave figures, and he reiterated his earnest hope for the success of the Government's efforts for a European appeasement to be followed in due course by disarmament. In the meantime, there could be no relaxation of their exertions.
Egypt to Be Consulted Ca-Ordination of Defence Cairo, Mar. 8.
The Egyptian Government has issued a communique revealing that Great. Britain has assured Egypt that, in accordance with the -Anglo-Egyptian Treaty, she will agree to nothing in the forthcoming conversations between Britain and Italy, which may affect Egyptian interests, without first consulting Egypt.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.