Mr. LLEWELYNasked how many of the members of the Territorial Force who were returned as efficient last year did not pass through the prescribed musketry course owing to lack of adequate range accommodation?
§ Mr. HALDANENo detailed figures are at present available.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHasked whether seven battalions of the Territorial Force have not been on an open range this year; and, if so, whether each of these battalions was returned as efficient?
§ Mr. HALDANEOwing to insufficient range accommodation, seven battalions did not fire on an open range last year. The men of these battalions were not returned as efficient, but the units were specially allowed to receive their grants. I may add that the insufficiency of range accommodation has already been rectified to a large extent, and steps are being taken with a view to provision of the remainder.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHDoes not the grant depend upon the efficiency of the unit?
§ Mr. HALDANEIn the ordinary course the battalion units could not get this grant unless they were efficient, but as it was not their fault that they did not get their musketry training we thought it was very unfair to deprive the units of the grant. Of course, the men are making up for the instruction they have lost.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHCould not the right hon. Gentleman devise some other word than efficiency for a battalion of that kind?
§ Mr. HALDANEI think that is a very proper suggestion which may be considered, and that the word should be qualified.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHasked whether a battalion of the Territorial Force is returned as efficient as the result of the number of rounds fired per man or as the result of individual scores?
§ Mr. HALDANEMen are classified as efficient if they pass the qualification standard. If they fail to pass but make three visits to an open, miniature or thirty yards' range and fire at least, fifty rounds 173 of ball ammunition or their equivalent, they are regarded as efficient for the purpose of earning the grant for the association. So far as musketry is concerned, battalions are classified according to the figure of merit which is based on the proportion of men passing the standard to the strength of the unit.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHFor the purpose of receiving the grant the individual will have to fire fifty rounds whether he hits the target or not?
§ Mr. HALDANEYes; but it is not right to put it in that way. The whole system is different from the old Volunteer system. Now the recruit has to fire a certain amount at the beginning—twenty rounds— and if he does that successfully he does it all at once. Then he is at once passed into a class, and is in that sense efficient, and he has the remainder of his ammunition. If he does not fire his first twenty rounds successfully he is put through an instructional course and fires fifty rounds in the course of that instruction.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHThen I may take it that there is no difference between a skilled rifle shot and a man who fires twenty rounds and does not hit the target?
§ Mr. HALDANEAll the difference in the world. There is another class of efficients, not recruits, and they are tested every year.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHFor the purposes of the grant there is no difference?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe grant is given if the battalion is up to a certain standard of efficiency. Ordinarily and under normal conditions, if a battalion is not efficient it would not get the grant, but obviously it is very hard on a battalion if there is no range.