Committee of Imperial Defence Facts for Kids

The Committee of Imperial Defence was an important group in the Government of the United Kingdom and the British Empire. It existed from just after the Second Boer War until the start of World War Two. Its main job was to research and help organize ideas about military strategy.

This committee often set up smaller, temporary groups to study specific topics in detail. Over the years, these groups looked into many things. For example, a report in 1909 about foreign espionage (spying) led to the creation of MI5 and MI6. They also studied things like food rationing and how to defend against attacks from the air. Many people believe the Committee of Imperial Defence was a key step in how the UK handles its national security. The current National Security Council is seen as a modern version of this committee.

How the Committee Started

The Committee of Imperial Defence was created in 1902. This happened because Arthur Balfour, who was the British Prime Minister at the time, followed advice from St John Brodrick and Lord Selborne. They were important government officials. In 1904, the committee also got a special office called a secretariat to help it run smoothly.

The first idea for the committee was to plan the future roles of the two main military groups: the Royal Navy (the sea force) and the British Army (the land force). This was important after the military was made smaller following the Boer War. However, there was no clear way for the committee's ideas to be put into action. This problem quickly became clear.

So, a secretariat was set up, led by Sir George Clarke. His job was to share the committee's decisions and make sure they were actually carried out. But when the Balfour Government changed in 1906, these plans didn't work out. The military services wanted to control their own plans, and the new Prime Minister didn't support Clarke. He resigned in 1907.

Even so, a small secretariat became a permanent part of the committee. This office helped members communicate with each other between meetings. It also helped them talk with other government workers.

Growing Importance of the Committee

Under the leadership of Maurice Hankey, the Committee of Imperial Defence slowly became more important. Hankey started as a Naval Assistant Secretary in 1908. He then became the Secretary to the Committee in 1912. He held this important job for 26 years!

By 1914, the committee was helping to plan defence for the entire British Empire. This meant it sometimes gave advice to countries like Canada or Australia, which were called Dominions. It continued this role into the 1920s. It was mainly a system for planning defence during peacetime, and it only gave advice. The final decisions were still made by government ministers and military leaders. This helped the committee be accepted by the existing government system, known as the bureaucracy.

The Prime Minister always led the committee meetings. Other members usually included important government ministers, the heads of the military services, and key civil servants. Prime Ministers from Dominion countries were also often part of the committee during peacetime.

The Committee of Imperial Defence later became known as the Defence Committee in 1947.

Committee of Imperial Defence facts for kids

How the Committee Started

Growing Importance of the Committee

See also