§ 46. Mr. Grimondasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider reconstituting the Committee of Imperial Defence.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. There have been important changes in the constitutional relations between the various parts of the Commonwealth since the Committee of Imperial Defence was established in 1904; and in the conditions of today other methods of Commonwealth 1058 consultation and co-operation in defence are more effective and appropriate.
§ Mr. GrimondDoes not the Prime Minister agree that when we are engaged in this very important re-armament programme, it might be worth while considering reconstituting something like the Committee of Imperial Defence, particularly having in mind that he would have on it leaders of the Opposition, to whom some confidential information about the programme might be of service?
§ The Prime MinisterThere was an occasion, or a period, in which there was a Leader of the Opposition on it, but if the hon. Gentleman will study the composition of the Committee of Imperial Defence, he will see that it is not really very suited to present conditions, especially from the point of view of Imperial co-operation.
§ Mr. ChurchillThe Prime Minister will find, if he looks at the record, that Mr. Balfour, at the time he served with the Liberal Government on the Committee of Imperial Defence, was not Leader of the Opposition.
§ The Prime MinisterThat is quite right. I think he was only a Member of the Opposition. He was not Leader.