To a later question suggesting that the Government was committed to compulsory service in War, and asking about the conscription of wealth, Mr, Chamberlain replied emphatic-
Tt is not the case," he said, "that the Government is committed to anything in the nature of compulsory service.
"It would be a question for the Government of the day, in the event of war, to decide whether it was their duty to put before Parliament proposals for compulsory service, That is, only in the event of war breaking out.
"At the present time, neither this House nor the Government are committed to compulsory military service.
"I cannot possibly say what action would be taken by any Government that is in office at the time of an outbreak of war."—Reufer.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.