asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Sir John French, the Chief of the Staff, stated in public that voluntary effort was quite inadequate for the due defence of these islands; and, if so, whether the statement was made with his knowledge and sanction?

Sir John French, to whom I referred this question, replies to me as follows: "I have made no such public statement, and I do not know to what the question refers."

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that the statement was attributed to Sir John French in a speech delivered last Friday by Lord Curzon?

I have seen some fantastic perversions of what Sir John French said, but I think, if anyone will refer to the speech actually made, he will find that it bears no resemblance to the fantastic statement made in the question.