§ Mr. GIBSON BOWLESasked if Lord Kitchener had ever been invited to become a member of the Committee of Imperial Defence; had he ever been appointed a member of that Committee; if so, when did he cease to be a member thereof and why; was the holding of the appointment of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief in the Mediterranean a qualification for appointment to the Committee of Imperial Defence and a refusal to hold that appointment a disqualification; and would His Majesty's Government consider the advisability of strengthening the Committee by inviting Lord Kitchener to become a member thereof?
§ The PRIME MINISTERLord Kitchener, when it was proposed to him that he should accept the post of Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean, was offered in conjunction with it a seat on the Committee of Imperial Defence. After full consideration Lord Kitchener declined the Mediterranean command, and the other offer consequently fell to the ground. The Committee of Imperial Defence is constituted by the Prime Minister of such persons as for the time being he invites to sit upon it. I thought, and still think, that there were good reasons for summoning to it the holder of the Mediterranean command. I need hardly say that the Government attach the highest value to Lord Kitchener's distinguished military abilities and experience, but I do not think it desirable to give undertakings as to who should and who should not be invited to sit on the Committee.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEIs there any reason why Lord Kitchener should not be invited to serve on the Committee in virtue of his personal qualifications, apart from any office he may hold?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI must refer the hon. Member to the last sentence of the answer I have just given.