§ 3. Mr. Julian Ameryasked the Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the continued difficulties encountered in recruiting for the Regular Army, he will now consider the desirability of raising a foreign legion.
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Strachey)This matter has already been carefully considered, and it has been decided that a foreign legion would be unsuitable for most of the tasks which have to be carried out by British troops, particularly where these are concerned with the maintenance of law and order.
§ Mr. AmeryAm I not right in believing that the last time a decision was taken it was on the political grounds that to raise a foreign legion would offend the susceptibilities of the Soviet Union, and has not the position changed so markedly that the whole question can now be reconsidered?
§ Mr. StracheyNo, Sir. I think that these were always the grounds on which a decision was taken, and that they remain.