Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, on 22nd July, in the Troon camp, an attempt was made to compel the men of the 7th Battalion. Highland Light Infantry Territorials to do fifteen days' training instead of eight by refusing them their train tickets, although many of them were compelled by the exigencies of their employment to return to work; whether any threats were used to the men; and whether any instructions have been issued to the commanding officer not to grant leave to men who have reasonable excuse after eight days' training, or whether any other instructions with regard to exemption have been issued?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Colonel Seely)Enquiries are being made into this matter and I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYasked what is the number of Territorial battalions that have not completed, and the number of those that will be unable to complete, the full regulation course of musketry ball practice during 1911?
§ Colonel SEELYThere is no information at present available at the War Office to enable me to give a reply to thi3 question. There are three months still remaining of the training year, and the musketry returns are not submitted to the War Office until after the close of this year.
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYWill the right hon. Gentleman give me the information when he does obtain it?
§ Colonel SEELYCertainly, I shall be very glad.