20 MARCH 1926, Page 3

During the week there have been debates on the Navy

and Army estimates in the House of Commons. The demand for a Ministry of Defence has grown steadily in strength. As we have said before, we hope that this movement will not be unduly accelerated as there are many pitfalls, though no one desires the proper co-ordina- tion of the three Services more earnestly than we do. Under the present conditions it is impossible to hope for economy. The expenditure of each of the Services has to be discussed, by the rules of the House of Commons, in a watertight compartment. Yet the fart is that you cannot determine accurately what the expenditure of one Service ought to be without reference to the others.