Mr. BENNETT - GOLDNBYasked whether the number of officers and men in the Territorial Force who have not qualified in musketry is now less than that returned for 1910—namely, 100,000?
§ Mr. HALDANEYes, Sir. The comparative figures of qualification in the standard test of trained men and recruits are as follow:—
| 1908–9 | 1909–10 | ||
| Qualified | 106,651 | … | 126,912 |
| Not qualified | 96,768 | … | 68,673 |
§ In addition to the above 18,453 trained men, qualified under paragraph 361 (2) Territorial Force Regulations, and 24,460 recruits, qualified under paragraph 361 (2), paragraph 361 (3) of those regulations.
§ Sir REGINALD POLE-CAREWasked whether the right hon. Gentleman can reconsider his decision that adjutants of the Territorial Force appointed before 12th July last are ineligible for the increase of pay of 2s. 6d. a day now granted to those whose appointments date from or after that date?
§ Mr. HALDANENo, Sir. I gave the hon. and gallant Member my reasons for the decision in reply to a question put by him on the 16th instant.
§ Sir R. POLE-CAREWDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider, from the point of view of fair play, it is right that officers should be asked to perform similar duties at a different rate of pay?
§ Mr. HALDANEYes, Sir. It is quite clear. The reason for the increase of pay is that we wanted to attract the best class of officer for the position of adjutant. We have given a new inducement, and it would obviously be stultifying that policy if we extended it to the officers under the old conditions.
§ Mr. GRETTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of the officers appointed before July 12th resent the implication that they are not of the first-class?
§ Mr. HALDANEThat is really not so; otherwise it would be impossible ever to give an increase of pay in order to attract a higher class.
§ Sir R. POLE-CAREWMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that when the Territorial Force was younger than it is now the duties of the adjutants were probably heavier than they are at present?
§ Mr. HALDANENo, I do not think so. The standard of training has risen and the duties of the adjutants are even more searching than they were.
§ Sir R. POLE-CAREWThat is not my question. I asked whether the duties these officers had to perform before July 12th last were not probably heavier than they are at the present moment.
§ Mr. HALDANEI do not think so. We are raising the whole standard of training and I think the duties to be performed are heavier.