§ MR. BENNETT (Oxfordshire, Woodstock)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the new attestation which has been prepared for the Territorial Force, and to the character of the provisions which are embodied in the form, and, in particular, to the requirement as to medical inspection; and whether, in view of the direction previously given that no Volunteer or Yeoman at present serving need undergo fresh medical inspection on joining the Territorial Forces, he proposes to amend the attestation in question.
§ MR. HALDANEThe form of attestation has been carefully considered with a view to ensuring that the maximum possible liability of the Territorial soldier tinder the new terms of service should be set out in a perfectly unmistakable manner. Under the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act the Territorial soldier becomes liable to the provisions of the Army Act dealing with enlistment and false answer on attestation, as has been the case with regard to the Yeomanry since 1901, and it is right that this should be clearly stated. I may state, however, that I am about to constitute an influential and representative Advisory Council to deal with questions affecting the Territorial Forces, and it will have an opportunity of considering the attestation form before it becomes necessary to use it. With regard to medical inspection, it was made quite 426 clear in the leaflet issued some time ago that no Yeoman or Volunteer transferring into a Force of the same Arm will be required to undergo fresh medical inspection, and there is no intention of departing from this. Medical inspection is, however, required in the case of a man transferring from foot to mounted service, but in that case only. As there has been some misunderstanding as to the alteration in the form of oath from that previously taken by Volunteers, I may add that the form has been changed merely in order to avoid the inconvenience of taking from the Territorial soldier a fresh engagement if he volunteers for foreign service. It has been made quite clear in the leaflets issued that the Territorial soldier will, as heretofore, be under no liability for service beyond the United Kingdom unless he voluntarily undertakes it, but should he do so, this form of oath will save him from being re-attested.
§ MR. BENNETTasked the right hon. Gentleman if, seeing the dissatisfaction caused by the new form of attestation, he would order its withdrawal and substitute one better calculated to secure recruits.
§ COLONEL SEELY (Liverpool, Abercromby)asked the right hon. Gentleman if he would amend also the provision which imposed a penalty of £5 for noncompliance with certain regulations as to efficiency which had not yet been issued.
§ MR. HALDANEsaid the attestation form would not, and could not, be used for some six weeks yet, when the transfer took place, so that there was plenty of time to consider it. The attestation form was in compliance with the statute and set out the maximum liability, though whether it was drawn up in the most perfect fashion was one of the matters which would be referred to the Advisory Council. He perceived that there was some difference of opinion about the form of attestation in the North, and especially in Scotland, some Volunteer forces glorying in the new attestation, because it showed the reality of what was being asked of them, and they contrasted very favourably with 427 the softer and more timorous attitude further South.
§ LORD BALCARRESWill the form be withdrawn until the Advisory Council has reported?
§ MR. HALDANENo, Sir, but it cannot be used until the new force comes into existence, which will be at the end of the financial year.
§ MR. WHITBREAD (Huntingdonshire, Huntingdon)invited the right hon. Gentleman to make it quite clear on the face of the attestation that the omission of the words "in Great Britain" would not imply any liability on the Territorial Force to serve outside the United Kingdom.
§ MR. HALDANEI have no difficulty in making that quite clear. The statute makes it abundantly plain that a man cannot be called upon to serve outside the United Kingdom.
§ MR. BENNETTAre we to understand it will not be used until it has been considered?
§ MR. HALDANEI have said I am referring the whole question to the Advisory Council, and it will not be used until that body has reported.