My Government is at present making a review of Commonwealth's
defence policy and progress of expanded programme adopted last
November by Government at that date. Certain proposals for further
increase submitted by Government Adviser(s) have raised important
issues as to basis of Australian defence policy. It has already
been stated by you that defence of British Empire East of Suez
hinges on security of Singapore and presence there of a fleet
adequate to give security to our sea communications and to deter
an enemy from large scale aggression. I am aware of statements of
United Kingdom Government and its Advisers during last Imperial
Conference on this subject and your telegrams of March 11th and
March 18th, 1938 [1], to the then Prime Minister [2] and High
Commissioner [3] subsequent to discussions in London. Nevertheless
I would appreciate for the information of the present Government
whether assurance can be given that Australia is entitled to
assume that in the event of war with Japan the United Kingdom
Government would send a fleet to Singapore within appropriate time
capable of containing Japanese fleet to a degree sufficient to
prevent a major act of aggression against Australia.

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