Captain CRAIGasked whether the hon. Gentleman can state if the number of guns with each of the 18 training batteries, Royal Field Artillery, has been reduced from six to four; whether the whole system of fire discipline, fire tactics, and general handling of a battery in the field is based upon the fact that in the British Army the regular battery consists of six guns; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the training of the Special Reserve affiliated to such regular batteries will not be placed on a false basis as regards their work in the field?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the rest of the question, the organisation of our Regular Horse and Field Artillery is in batteries of six guns, but a great part of the preliminary training is done with four guns. Twelve guns per training brigade are quite sufficient to train Special Reservists, especially as most of the training is recruit training, and a 6-gun battery can be turned out when necessary. It must also be remembered that the six training brigades do not form part of the field organisation. The teaching will not be on a false basis, and the men will be as efficient for their duties as if they were trained in a 6-gun battery.
Captain CRAIGIs it not the fact that the training of 4-gun batteries and of 6-gun 286 batteries is entirely different, and will not considerable difficulty be found in case of national emergency?
§ Mr. ACLANDNot in the preliminary training.