HC Deb 29 April 1907 vol 173 cc522-3
MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he intends to do away with any Volunteer battalions under the new scheme, or change the nature of any of the units of the Auxiliary Forces; and, if so, whether this duty will be relegated to the county association.

MR. HALDANE

Under the scheme it is proposed that the Army Council shall notify its requirements for each locality to the county associations. Theassociations will then in, conjunction with the Army Council, work out the most suitable arrangements to meet those requirements which will involve in many cases the changing of the nature of existing units in the Auxiliary Forces.

MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

asked whether he was clearly to understand that this unpopular duty would be relegated to the county associations.

MR. HALDANE

said not necessarily to them alone. Primarily it would rest with them, but half of these associations consisting of commanding officers would consider the arrangements in conjunction with the Army Council and the chief of the staff and also, no doubt, with local commanding officers.