MR. YEEBURGH (Chester)To ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Defence Committee of the Cabinet, or other body in any way answering to the Naval and Military Council advocated by the Hartington Commission of 1888, has, up to the present time, met before the Estimates of the year are decided upon by the Cabinet, for the purpose of discussing the establishments proposed for the Navy and Army respectively, from the point of view of Imperial Defence as a whole, and for considering the relative importance of any proposed expenditure.
(Answer.) I have always declined to answer any Question respecting Committees of the Cabinet, and I am still of opinion that this general rule is one which, in the public interest, it is desirable to maintain.—(Treasury.)