HC Deb 21 July 1910 vol 19 cc1428-9
Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the difficulty experienced in filling up the shortage of 26,000 in the Territorial Forces, he will consider the advisability of amending the Admiralty Order providing that only 2 per cent. of workmen engaged in the Royal dockyards should be enrolled in the Territorial Forces; whether he is aware that the Order, as it now stands, is a hardship on men belonging to the Territorial Force and wishing to obtain employment in the Royal dockyards; and whether, in view of all the circumstances, he will reconsider the Order with a view of allowing a greater percentage of dockyard employés to join the Territorial Forces?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The Order referred to by the hon. Member was issued after very full consideration of all the circumstances, and the Admiralty are not prepared to revoke it. As regards the second part of the question, instructions are being promulgated to the effect that men belonging to the Territorial Force, who are candidates for admission to the dockyards, may be allowed to enter and complete the periods of their existing engagements with that force, notwithstanding the fact that the 2 per cent. may thus be temporarily exceeded.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

But when this Order was promulgated it was known that there was a deficiency of 26,000 men.

Dr. MACNAMARA

I cannot admit the accuracy of the figures.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Was it known?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I cannot say.

Mr. H. T. CAWLEY

Will the hon. Gentleman say, in the case of the 2 per cent. of men who are allowed to be in the Territorial Force, which would have to go short on the outbreak of war—the Royal dockyards or the Territorial Force?

Dr. MACNAMARA

If these men are withdrawn, as I presume they would be, of course the Royal dockyards would be to that extent depleted. I may add that there are various other men in the dockyards—Naval pensioners, Army reservists, and men in the Royal Fleet Reserve—all of whom would be liable to mobilisation in a time of emergency.