HC Deb 01 June 1908 vol 189 cc1541-2
* MR. ASHLEY (Lancashire, Blackpool)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the proposal to create 182 batteries of Territorial field artillery has the unanimous support of his professional advisers; and on what grounds their approval of this scheme is based.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. HALDANE,) Haddington

If the hon. Member will refer to the debate of the 19th March on Army Estimates he will find ample information on the points he has raised. I have only to add that under the new organisation of the British Army the Government is advised on all such matters as this by the General Staff, which is now thoroughly constituted. The Territorial Artillery Organisation is the one worked out and recommended by the General Staff. To adopt what appears to be the hon. Member's suggestion, by following the advice of a miscellaneous medley of self constituted advisers to the Army, many of them of little authority, in place of taking that of the General Staff, would be to relapse into the old state of confusion.

* MR. ASHLEY

Are the opinions of Lord Roberts and Lord Grenfell of no weight?

MR. HALDANE

I did not say so. What I said was that I was acting under the advice of the General Staff and the Army Council.

* MR. ASHLEY

Did not the same Army Council give diametrically opposite advice to the late Secretary for War?

MR. HALDANE

I cannot say what; happened at that time, and I have not inquired.

SIR IVOR HERBERT (Monmouthshire, S.)

Is it not the fact that very satisfactory reports have been received of the working of the artillery under this system?

MR. HALDANE

Yes; notwithstanding what some critics have said.