Sir Edward Grey endorsed the protest made by other speakers
against the view that the two-Power standard was wholly in- elastic. The present time might not be the best to suggest reduction, but he did think something might be done in con- junction with France in view of our friendlier relations with her and the fact that she had reduced her shipbuilding bill for the present year. Mr. Balfour, replying for the Government, observed that he had always held that the two-Power standard should be calculated with something of a margin, since it was always conceivable that more than two Powers might be arrayed against us. The Closure having been carried, the Vote for 131,100 men and boys for sea and Coastguard services was agreed to without a division. Though conscious of the need for close economy in all Depart- ments of the public service, we cannot think that it would • be wise at the present moment to run any risks in regard to naval power. Since naval supremacy is absolutely vital to us, and since ships cannot be improvised, it is better to have somewhat more than the lowest estimate of our needs than one too few.
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