HC Deb 06 July 1908 vol 191 cc1224-5
MR. J. M. ROBERTSON (Northumberland, Tyneside)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to a poster bearing the Royal Arms, and ostensibly issued by the County of Southampton Territorial Force Association, in which Hampshire men are invited to defend their country and home and so avoid conscription; and whether he will direct that such unwarrantable expressions be not introduced into official public announcements.

MR. ARTHUR LEE (Hampshire, Fareham)

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that there is anything either unwarrantable or improper in the suggestion that the men of Hampshire should defend their homes and country?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. HALDANE,) Haddington

In reply to my hon. friend I do not see anything in the circular that is in the least degree open to exception. My sympathy is wholly with the Hampshire Association.

MR. J. M. ROBERTSON

Does the right hon. Gentleman give it as his opinion that that Association is entitled to use the expression "and so avoid conscription" in a public document bearing the Royal Arms?

MR. HALDANE

I do not know whether my hon. friend wishes to invite conscription. I am obliged to this Association for pointing out an additional motive for coming into the Territorial Army.

MR. J. M. ROBERTSON

Is that Association, as a public body, entitled to give such an expression of opinion as is embodied in the phrase "and so avoid conscription"?

MR. HALDANE

I should have thought most certainly.

MR. HAROLD COX (Preston)

Does the right hon. Gentleman associate himself with that argument?

MR. HALDANE

Certainly; I think the Territorial Force is a considerable bulwark against conscription.