§ 71. Commander WEDGWOODasked the Prime Minister whether arrangements will be made to make service in the Army 137 compulsory on white British subjects of military age in India, Egypt, Ceylon, and the Crown. Colonies?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Bonar Law)The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. I am advised that there is no reason to think that the adoption of this suggestion would add any appreciable number of men to the Army, and I am, therefore, not prepared to recommend the necessary legislation to the House.
§ Mr. HOUSTONWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of compulsory service for British subjects in France and elsewhere where they are shirking, and give so bad an impression to our Allies?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe question refers to the Crown Colonies and British Possessions.
§ Colonel YATEMay I inquire whether Ceylon has not already introduced a Compulsory Service Act?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWCompulsory service has been in operation in, I think, two Crown Colonies.
§ Sir H. CRAIKCannot the authorities give every encouragement to those of military age in the service of the Crown Colonies to join, and not prevent them when they are anxious to do so?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWWe have, if anything, made the other mistake of allowing too many who wished to go to leave, with the result that the Service in some cases, to my own knowledge, is somewhat disorganised.
§ Commander WEDGWOODDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the Empire is of more importance than the government of a Crown Colony?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes, indeed I do; but I think it is absolutely necessary that the government of the Crown Colonies should be carried on.
§ Sir H. CRAIKCould the work not be done by older men? In some of the Crown Colonies has not leave been refused to the men who were anxious to join?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWCertainly, because the men could not be spared; for no other reason.