15. MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked the Secretary of State for War whether his appeal for recruits for the Territorial Force in order that we may have universal service by consent has been successful; whether, by these terms, he means that universal service is a necessity; and, if not, what is the phrase intended to convey?
§ Colonel SEELYI am not yet in a position to answer the first part of the question; with regard to the second part, the answer is in the negative; in reply to the third part, universal service by consent means the service of all who are able and willing to serve.
§ Colonel SEELYIt is the policy of both parties as far as I have been able to ascertain.
Sir GILBERT PARKERAre we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman has completely changed his view concerning compulsory national service?
§ Colonel SEELYNo. I have again and again, inside this House and out of it, urged upon all concerned the advisability of getting every young man to serve of his own free will.