§ 60. Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that exception has been taken in both Services to the appointment of the 772 Home Secretary on the Committee to deal with Pensions and Grants to the Officers and Men of the Naval and Military Forces; whether he is aware that the Services complain that there is no Member of Parliament representing the Services on that Committee, and whether he will consider the advisability of appointing on the Committee a Member who has served in the Army?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not aware of any grounds for the suggestion made by the Noble Lord in the first two branches of this question. I feel sure that the constitution of the Committee will command universal confidence. I may add that naval and military officers, if they choose, can present their case to the Committee by representatives.
§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of the question as to the desirability of a Member who has served in the Army being on the Committee?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo; we cannot alter the constitution of a Committee that has been appointed by the House, and that is now sitting.
§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Services could not possibly know what was the composition of the Committee until the names were published?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Services can present their case to the Committee through representatives, which I think is really a more satisfactory way than any other.
§ Lord C. BERESFORDWhat representatives does the right hon. Gentleman mean?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI cannot speak for the Committee, but I am sure they will listen to evidence from anybody who seems to be worthy of attention.