HC Deb 20 May 1914 vol 62 cc1933-4
45. Earl WINTERTON

asked the Prime Minister if there is any precedent for a Secretary of State for War who has resigned office and is no longer a Member of the Government retaining his membership of the Committee of Imperial Defence?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)

The composition of the Committee is not governed by any fixed rules or precedents. It consists of those persons who are from time to time summoned by the Prime Minister to its meetings.

Earl WINTERTON

In view of the importance of this question, and the unsatisfactory answers I have received, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question either on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House to-night or to-morrow night.

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

In the statement made in reference to the composition of this Committee when it was first proposed, did not the right hon. Gentleman distinctly say that it was not necessary that it should be composed of members of the Cabint at all?

The PRIME MINISTER

Oh, no!