Reflecting Great Britain's anxiety over the deterioration of the international situation, Mr. Chamberlain was kept busy in the House of Commons yesterday replying to a barrage of questions concerning the British defence programme and other kindred matters, The first question asked was when ther, in order to facilitate an immediate mobilization of the services of the entire nation upon the outbreak of war, it was the Prime Minister's intention to introduce a system of universal national registration.
"A scheme of compulsory national registration in wartime, if the Government of the day so decide," Mr. Chamberlain replied, "has been in existence for many years. Proposals for compulsory registration in peace time have also been considered but. on the balance, the advantages to be derived from it have been found t" be outweighed by difficulties."
The Prime Minister was then asked what steps it was proposed to take to accelerate Britain's defence preparations, and whether he intended to create a Ministry of Supply.
Mr. Chamberlain replied that p: ages dealing with the speeding up of the British defence programme would be included in the statement on foreign policy which he would make in the House to-day. As at present advised he added, he did not consider acceleration would result from the establishment of a Ministry of Supply.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.