In the debate on defence that followed the House saw
the first-fruits of Lord Winterton's famous house- party. Three of the guests, Sir Robert Horne. Sir Edward Grigg and Mr. Churchill, came into action. They all made effective speeches and none would question the 'sincerity and patriotism that inspired them, but some members were left wondering whether all thiS concentration on the inadequacy of our defences is really in the national interest. Any potential aggressor reading the pages of Hansard in any of the recent debates might well be led to conclude that Great Britain was without any real striking power and for the next two years could be ruled out of account. It may be of course that they have already made their representa- tions to the Government in private and are convinced that a frontal attack in Parliament is the only way to secure the necessary speeding up of the rearmament programme. It is only fair to add that Sir Thomas Inskip himself makes no complaint against their methods. Indeed he appears to relish these onslaughts. his speeches give the increasing impression that he has a real grip of defence problems.
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