§ MAJOR SEELY (Isle of Wight)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, as President of the Council of Defence, whether it is proposed to proceed with the formation of a home-service Army on a short-service basis, within the next few months, a commencement being made as soon as sufficient long-service enlistments for India have been secured, whether the Militia is to form part of this home-service Army; and, if so, whether 661 all or what portions of the Militia are to be so transformed.
§ MR. A.J. BALFOURThis Question has nothing to do with the Committee of Defence, and I have therefore asked my right hon. friend to answer it.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERIt will not be possible to commence short-service recruiting for several months. But when an adequate number of men enlisted for long service has been obtained, the enlistment of men for a shorter period of service must be commenced. No short-service battalions will be formed before October. No Militia units will be included in the short-service Army except with their consent.