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Compulsory Military Training

Volume 332: debated on Thursday 10 March 1938

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50.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the desirability of preventing the possibility of a professionally-composed force being used either for purposes of aggression abroad or the establishment of military dictatorship at home, he will now consider the introduction of a system of general military training solely for purposes of effective national defence?

The proposal in this question appears to contemplate a form of compulsory military training, and I have already stated that so far as this Government is concerned no such proposal will be introduced.

In this matter does the Prime Minister distinguish between military training and compulsory military service?

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the best evidence of complete accord between ruler and ruled is when the ruler provides that all the people shall be trained and armed?