§ 46. Mr. HOGGEasked the Prime Minister whether he will state who are the members of the Cabinet Committee investigating the means of raising further recruits; whether the Committee is taking evidence; and, if so, whether such evidence is being given by persons selected by the Committee or whether evidence can be proffered by others?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere are a number of Cabinet Committees now engaged in dealing with this and other matters of national importance. It is unusual and, in my opinion, unless in exceptional circumstances, undesirable to make public the names of members of such Committees or their modes of procedure.
§ Mr. PRINGLECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the announcements which have appeared in the Press have passed the Press Censor?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not know to what my hon. Friend refers.
§ Mr. PRINGLEI was referring to paragraphs about the constitution of this Committee.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not know anything about it.
§ 47. Mr. HOGGEasked whether the estimate of three millions for the British Army at the present time includes any Overseas contingents from any of our Colonies or Dependencies?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf my hon. Friend refers to what I said last week, he will find that I included both the Navy and Army. I did not, of course, include any Force recruited elsewhere than from the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. HOGGECan my right hon. Friend, in the interests of public safety, say whether in the three millions he included those who offered, or only those who have been actually enrolled?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI deprecate giving details, and I hope my hon. Friend will not press the question.
§ Mr. PRINGLEI do not wish to press my right hon. Friend unduly, but merely for the purposes of certainty, as misunderstanding has taken place. I wish to ask whether those who have been described as having offered include those who have been rejected on medical or other grounds?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is very undesirable to have these supplementary questions. If my hon. Friend wants the information, let the question be put down.