HC Deb 30 March 1908 vol 187 cc78-9
MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Croydon)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed during the current year to curtail the period of fifteen days training in camp prescribed for the Territorial Army; if so, to what extent is the length of training to be reduced; and, if any reduction is contemplated, is it to be made with the object of increasing the military efficiency of the troops or of effecting a saving of money.

MR. HALDANE

Instructions have been issued that the Territorial Force is to be trained this year as laid down in the Act, but that arrangements are if possible to be made to let men have the option of training eight or fifteen days. If the right hon. Gentleman will read what I have stated repeatedly in this House and elsewhere in regard to the plans for training, he will find that there is and can be no question of saving money.

VISCOUNT HELMSLEY (Yorkshire, N.H., Thirsk)

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman did not say, when the Bill was going through the House, that the question of granting to individual men the option of training for eight or fifteen days would rest with the general officer.

MR. HALDANE

So it does. For this year the general officer commanding the district has been asked to give an option, as far as possible, so as to make the transition as easy as possible.

COLONEL LOCK WOOD (Essex, Epping)

Does that include the Artillery?

MR. HALDANE

Yes.

VISCOUNT HELMSLEY

asked whether they were to understand that individual members of the Territorial Force would be able to say they did not want to go out for fifteen days, but only for eight days, although the rest of the battalion might be doing the whole fifteen days.

MR. HALDANE

The training will take place this year very shortly after the conversion, and it is necessary to show some consideration for the difficulties of individuals. I am talking of a temporary arrangement for this year only, and not of a change in the general arrangements.

MR. ASHLEY

asked whether they were to understand that after this year all the Territorial Force would train for fifteen days, except under special circumstances.

MR. HALDANE

Subject to the discretion of the general officer commanding.