§ COLONEL COTTON - JODRELL (Cheshire, Wirral)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether any Reports have been received from General Officers and Colonels on the Staff commanding the chief Garrison Artillery stations at home and abroad on the working of the reorganisation of that branch, and with what results; and whether any further extension of these changes is contemplated? I beg also to ask the right hon. Gentle- 1757 man whether Returns have been asked for, or have been sent in, from the chief Garrison Artillery stations at home and abroad, giving the number of specialists required as position finders, telephonists, dial members, signallers, and the like; and whether such Returns will be laid upon the Table, or be issued with the Army Estimates next year? Further, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention has been called to the length of foreign service in the Garrison Artillery: whether it is the case that 46 companies are abroad and 21 at home, so that two-thirds of all ranks are constantly on foreign service; and whether he will consider any scheme for lessening the long periods at which companies are kept at the same foreign station?
§ * THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN, Stirling, &c.)I would ask leave to answer the three questions of the hon. and gallant Member together. Reports on the working of the reorganised system of Garrison Artillery have been received and are now under consideration with a view of ascertaining whether any changes are necessary. To assist in this inquiry Returns have been called for and received as to the number of specialists required as position finders, telephonists, dial members, signallers, &c, but it is not usual to present such detailed Returns to Parliament. Any results arising from their consideration will be shown in the Army Estimates. It is the case that there are 46 companies of Garrison Artillery abroad and 22 at home. This is an incident of the Service, and it is difficult to see how the proportion can be lessened under existing conditions, but every consideration will lie given to the subject.
§ COLONEL COTTON-JODRELLIs it necessary the force should be kept so constantly on foreign service?
§ * MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI have said it is a necessary incident of the Service, but I do not think the men are kept longer abroad than those in any other branch of the Service.
§ COLONEL COTTON-JODRELLMy question had reference rather to the companies.