HC Deb 26 February 1907 vol 169 cc1419-21
MR. LYELL (Dorset, E.)

asked the Secretary of State for War a Question of which he had given private notice—namely, whether it was intended under the proposed scheme of Army organisation that no man should be entitled to discharge from the territorial force except by giving three months' notice and paying £5.

MR. HALDANE

No, Sir; the three months' notice and the £5 is only a general rule laid down in order to ensure some security to the State for the money expended in training and on equipment. The Bill contains a provision enabling the county association, in every case in which they have reason to think that the request is a fair one, to exempt the person concerned both from notice and from making any payment. Such a dispensation is obviously necessary in the case of the working classes, who move from place to place, and it is also useful in order that people, who when changing their place of vocation may have to go from one corps to another, may be able, in theological parlance, to "lift their lines."

*CAPTAIN FABER

asked whether a man would be allowed to transfer from one Volunteer district to another under the three months rule.

MR. HALDANE

Obviously when a man changes from one place to another it may be necessary in the general interest that he should be transferred from one corps to another. The greatest elasticity is provided for that. The only reason for putting in the £5 provision was to fix a maximum sum towards covering the cost of equipment.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Croydon)

Then do I understand that the terms of service in the new territorial army will be no more certain than the terms of service in the Volunteer force?

MR. HALDANE

The right hon. Gentleman must understand nothing of the kind. The rule is three months and £5, and whenever there is an arbitrary endeavour on the part of anybody to get out of his obligations, that will be adhered to. The dispensing power is only given to the association, and is only to be exercised in cases where they think that there is reasonable ground for making the dispensation.

MR. ARTHUR LEE

Will there be any legal means of recovering this money in case Volunteers should prove obdurate?

MR. HALDANE

Oh, yes. There will be very sharp legal means; but the hon. Member should wait until he sees the Bill, which I hope will be printed and before the House on Tuesday or Wednesday.