§ Major COATESasked the Secretary for War whether any Territorial Telegraph companies are to be employed in the Army manœuvres; whether these Territorial soldiers have already had a fortnight's, training; and whether they are being employed in preference to the Special Telegraph Reserve companies of the Post Office Rifles, who have received only one week's training this year?
§ Mr. HALDANEA cable company was required for Army manœuvres, and men and equipment were accordingly drawn from the cable telegraph companies of the Territorial Force to form a combined unit. There was no question, therefore, of their employment in preference to the Special Telegraph Reserve companies, who are not employed on cable company work. It is regretted that it was not found practicable to train certain of the men of the Post Office Rifles for a full fortnight. There are no statistics available at the War Office to show whether the men of the cable companies have had a full fortnight's training.