§ Mr. GREENWOODasked the Secretary of State for War whether the Army Service Corps companies of the Territorial Force will train for eighteen days this year; and, if so, whether the grant for horses and vehicles will be allowed for the full eighteen days or for fifteen days only?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Haldane)The Army Service Corps units will not be trained this year for more than fifteen days. This does not preclude the attendance of advance and rear parties for more than that period if required. The grant for horses and waggons is made for the number of days for which they are required and requisitioned irrespective of a limit of fifteen days.
§ Mr. COURTHOPEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received the reports called for from General Officers Commanding-in-Chief last autumn on the suitability of the existing system of musketry training and courses for the Territorial Force; and what is the nature of such reports?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe reports were received and were generally satisfactory. The new scheme of musketry is quoted by a very large majority of commanding officers as a great improvement, and, considering that this was the first year, the results are considered quite satisfactory.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHMay I ask whether it is a fact that leave can be given by General Officers Commanding-in- 362 Chief for the purpose of returning an individual as efficient, and whether reports were made by General Officers Commanding-in-Chief on this point?
§ Mr. HALDANEI do not think that question arises out of the scheme. I am not aware there is any such practice.
EARL of RONALDSHAYasked whether officers who transferred from the Militia, Imperial Yeomanry, or Volunteers, to the Territorial Force, having as second lieutenants qualified for the rank of captain under the Militia, Imperial Yeomanry, or Volunteer regulations, will, under an Order issued and about to appear in the Territorial Regulations, be obliged to re-qualify under these regulations before promotion to the rank of captain; if so, is anything being done to provide the classes for the instruction necessitated by this Order; or will officers be called upon to pay for such instruction themselves?
§ Mr. HALDANENo such Order will appear in the Teritorial Force Regulations; the circular letter on the subject of January last has since been cancelled. An officer who has already qualified for any rank in any branch of the Regular Army, Special Reserve, Militia, Imperial Yeomanry, or Volunteers will be exempt from qualifying for the same rank in the corresponding branch of the Territorial Force.