Captain GUESTI beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement with regard to recruiting and national service on or before Tuesday next?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir, I cannot give any such undertaking. The matter to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, and a number of other cognant and relevant matters connected with it, are engaging the most careful and anxious consideration of His Majesty's Government. As soon as they feel themselves in a position to announce their considered policy to the House they will do so. In the meantime, I would venture to appeal to the House, and to all sections of the House—whatever views they are disposed to take with regard to this matter—to abstain from raising it here.
We are at a very critical moment in the history of the War. We are watching with intense sympathy and hope the gallant 734 and combined efforts of the Allied forces, and I do not think a greater disservice could be rendered to this country or to the Allied forces than that at such a moment as this there should be any suggestion go forth to the world that there is any division of opinion amongst us.