Sir GILBERT PARKERasked the Prime Minister if he will state in what year the Imperial and Defence Committee was established; who composed the Committee originally; and what subjects were especially assigned to the Committee for systematic and scientific investigation?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Committee of Imperial Defence was constituted on its present basis on 4th May, 1904, and then, and now, consists of the Prime Minister, with such other members as, 2199 having regard to the nature of the subject to be discussed, he may from time to time summon to assist him. The Committee is a purely advisory and consultative body. The scope of its investigations embraces all questions bearing on the problem of Imperial Defence. These are usually of a confidential nature, which it would not be in the public interest to divulge.
Sir G. PARKERIs it not possible to answer the first part of the question as to the composition of the Defence Committee originally?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo; on its present basis it dates from 1904.
Sir G. PARKERWas there not an Imperial Defence Committee previous to that of which the Duke of Devonshire was a Member?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI believe there was, but I have no personal knowledge of it.