§ Mr. ARNOLD WARDasked the Under-Secretary of State for War what are the names of the commanding officers referred to by Sir John French in his Report on the Territorial Force who complained to him that their endeavours to obtain recruits were much hampered by agents of the National Service League; what are the names of the agents of the National Service League who so hampered the endeavours of the commanding officers; what are the names of the men who were advised by these agents not to take service in the Territorial Force; and what are the names of the districts in which those agents carried on their activities?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Colonel Seely)I am not prepared to ask the Inspector-General of the Forces to give information in detail in regard to facts and opinions which he may feel it his duty to bring to the notice of the Army Council in such instances as that referred to.
§ Mr. ARNOLD WARDMay I ask whether a serious charge has been made reflecting on the honour and patriotism of the National Service League and why does the right hon. Gentleman propose that the War Office should decline either to substantiate or to withdraw the charge?
§ Colonel SEELYOn the contrary the Inspector-General has thought it his duty to make this statement to which he adheres. He thought it his duty to convey it to the Army Council and one can only hope that the National Service League will take steps to clear the matter up.
§ Lord BALCARRESOn what ground does the right hon. Gentleman refuse to make a definite statement to which the society can reply in a definite fashion?
§ Colonel SEELYI should be glad to make a definite statement, but I am only asked whether I will request the Inspector-General to give the names of the officers referred to by Sir John French in his report. Names are not given in any part of the report.
Lord BALCARRISIs it right that a public department should make these allegations anonymously and then prevent the society from clearing themselves before the public.
§ Colonel SEELYI have answered the question on the Paper. The Inspector-General does not in his report give the names. I am sure that the Secretary of State will be very glad to substantiate anything he has said and I take full responsibility for anything I have said. I stick to everything I have said.
§ Mr. GRETTONWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question?
§ Colonel SEELYI cannot add anything to what I have said about Sir John French's report.
§ Mr. AMERYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a very large proportion of the officers of the Territorial Force are members of the National Service League?
§ Colonel SEELYYes; no doubt they are.
Mr. KINGIs it not the duty of any member of the Territorial Force to do everything he possibly can to recruit the strength of that force?