§ 46. Mr. MACLAYasked the Prime Minister whether, before proceeding with further plans for reorganising the League of Nations, he will consider the advisability of holding a national referendum of all persons of voting age in order to ascertain approximately what proportion of Britain's population is willing to go to war in support of any other nation if and when called upon to do so under a system of collective security?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)No, Sir.
§ Mr. MACLAYHas the right hon. Gentleman or the Government the slightest idea as to the proportion of persons in the country who are willing to make sacrifices for some unknown country? Does he not think that it would strengthen the hands of the Government, before discussing the basis of collective security, if they knew the approximate opinion of the country? Finally, does he not agree that during an election it is almost impossible to get an opinion on such matters in view of the party prejudice that comes into play?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI appreciate the point which the hon. Member has raised, but I am not so confident as he is that you would necessarily get the true feeling of the country.
§ Mr. LENNOX-BOYDWould not my right hon. Friend be likely to get the true feeling if he attached to an affirmative answer a legal obligation to join the Territorial Army?
§ Mr. MANDERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the only military 1740 sanction in which the people of this country as a whole will ever consent to participate, and this willingly, will be the support of collective security of the League, and that anything else will be resisted by force?