HC Deb 28 July 1910 vol 19 cc2334-5
Lord CHARLES BERESFORD

asked the Prime Minister if he can state to the House the date upon which Field Marshal Lord Kitchener was officially informed that he was no longer a member of the Committee of Imperial Defence; and whether the reason given was that he declined to accept the honour of the position of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief in the Mediterranean?

The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Haldane)

I must refer the Noble Lord to my right hon. Friend's answer to the hon. Member for Dublin County on 21st July. Lord Kitchener never became a member of the Committee of Imperial Defence.

Mr. GIBSON BOWLES

Was Lord Kitchener, in fact, summoned to a meeting of the Committee of Defence?

Mr. HALDANE

Certainly not—that I know anything of.

Mr. WILLIAM PEEL

Is it not the fact that Lord Kitchener considered himself to be a member of the Committee of Defence, and that the first intimation that he received of the fact that he was no longer to be on the Committee was the statement of the right hon. Gentleman to that effect as reported in the papers?

Mr. HALDANE

The hon. Member seems to have a knowledge of the mind of Lord Kitchener which I do not possess. I would suggest to the hon. Member, and to others, that it would be well to inquire of Lord Kitchener before they put that kind of question. I know nothing of it.

Mr. ASHLEY

Was he not offered the post?

Mr. HALDANE

No, certainly not. In connection with the Mediterranean Command, there was to be a seat on the Committee, but Lord Kitchener did not take up the appointment, and he was never summoned.

Mr. BOTTOMLEY

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that, in the interests of the nation, it would be a good thing if the services of Lord Kitchener were utilised on this Committee?

Mr. HALDANE

That question should be addressed to the Prime Minister, who, I believe, has already answered it.

Mr. FELL

(for Captain Faber) asked whether Lord Esher, who belongs to the Imperial National Defence Committee, ever belonged to the Regular Army; and, if so, for what period; and what superior claims he possesses to those of Lord Kitchener as regards his knowledge of military subjects for the purposes of knowledge of national defence?

Mr. HALDANE

So far as I am aware Lord Esher never belonged to the Regular Army. My right hon. Friend must decline to discuss the comparative claims of particular persons to sit on the Committee of Imperial Defence.