§ 47. Mr. NEWMANasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the system of enlistment and the terms of service in the Regular Army do not admit of the accumulation of reserves of trained men which are at the disposal of Continental nations, the Government have had under consideration the sources of expansion which would be available were we engaged in a serious war; whether the problem has been submitted to and been considered by the Imperial Defence Committee; and, if so, whether he can indicate to the House the outcome of their deliberations?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Government are fully alive to the importance of a sufficient reserve of trained men. The best methods of maintaining such a reserve has engaged the attention of the Committee of Imperial Defence, but I do not think it would be to the public interest to state the outcome of their deliberations. The whole question has been exhaustively discussed on several occasions, both in the House of Commons and in another place, and the attitude of the Government fully explained.
§ Mr. NEWMANIt is a question of expansion, not a question of reserve?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is included in my answer.