§ MR. ASHLEYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what instructions have been issued by the military authorities with reference to granting leave from annual training in camp this year to the Territorial soldier.
§ MR. HALDANENo instructions have yet been issued on this subject, but it is hoped they will be published by the end of next month.
§ MR. ASHLEYIn the London district have not instructions been given that no man need attend training if he would thereby lose his employment?
§ MR. HALDANEwas understood to say that the spirit of this instruction was intended to apply to the whole force. His answer had been with regard to the formal notification.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERAnd what was the distinction in this case between the informal and formal notification? Has it been intimated to the whole 715 Territorial Army that they need not go into camp?
§ MR. HALDANEsaid that the reason why a special announcement had been made in the case of London was that a rumour had got abroad that the military authorities would insist on a man's going to camp, although it involved the forfeiture of his employment. If the commanding officer had reason to be satisfied that attendance would be followed by such a result it would not be insisted upon. There was no intention of adopting any other order for the rest of the country.
§ MR. ARTHUR LEEAre we to understand that any territorial soldier who states that he will lose his employment if he goes into camp for eight days is to be excused from complying with the terms of the Act?
§ MR. HALDANENo, that would be trusting too much to human nature. The object of the regulations is to give as much camp training as possible to as many men as possible.
§ MR. ARTHUR LEEBut will not this have the effect of discouraging employers from granting leave?
§ MR. HALDANENo; on the contrary, if you say to the employers: "We are going to trust you, and we will not put you in a hole in case of emergency," they will co-operate with us. It is not always expedient to exercise one's full legal right. The experience which I have had during the last few days in negotiating with the great railway companies bears out the view that to trust employers and ask for their co-operation has the effect of inducing them to come forward to the assistance of the force in the most marked manner.
§ SIR GILBERT PARKER (Gravesend)Is it the intention of the regulations to provide for a minimum amount of training during the Territorials' years of service, and at the same time give elasticity as to the amount from year to year?
§ MR. HALDANEThe object is to secure as much training as possible for as many men as possible, and we think we 716 can best do that by showing confidence in both employers and employed.