§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY (for Lord Charles Beresford)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the conditions under which men are allowed to join the Territorial Force when serving in His Majesty's dockyards; to re-engage in the Territorial Force when serving in His Majesty's dockyards; and to join His Majesty's dockyards when serving in the Territorial Force?
§ Mr McKENNAThe Admiralty have agreed to allow men serving in the Royal yards to be members of the Territorial Force up to a maximum limit of 2 per cent. of the total numbers employed in each yard. As a temporary measure it has been decided to allow men serving in the Royal yards who belong to the Territorial Force to re-engage for one year's further service, notwithstanding the 2 per cent. limit. It has also been decided as a temporary measure to allow men belonging to the Territorial Force to complete their engagement on entering the service of the Royal yards, notwithstanding the 2 per cent. limit. The situation will be reviewed shortly in order to determine whether these arrangements can be made permanent without serious danger to the efficiency of the Royal yards in case of emergency.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEAre these men serving in the Territorial Forces in regiments which will be stationed near the dockyards in time of war?
§ Mr. McKENNAI cannot answer that without examination.
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYWould it not be so?
§ Mr. McKENNAI should think so.