HC Deb 04 July 1911 vol 27 cc954-5
Captain CLIVE

asked the Undersecretary of State for War, seeing that the Territorial Force Advisory Council, of which he is chairman, has not met for nearly two years, whether he proposes to continue that body in existence; and, if not, what means he proposes to take to give Territorial officers of experience a voice in the management of the force?

Mr. SANDYS

had given notice of the following question: To ask the Undersecretary of State for War what are the functions of the Territorial Force Advisory Council?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Colonel Seely)

I will reply to both questions at the same time. The duties of the Territorial Force Advisory Council are to advise the Army Council upon such of the larger questions of policy affecting the Territorial Force as the council feel they may require special opinion upon in addition to that which is at their disposal from the ordinary official sources. There is no present intention, therefore, of dissolving the council. Another meeting will shortly be held.

Mr. SANDYS

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman how it is that the important function he has described has been fulfilled during the two years that have elapsed since the last meeting of the Council?

Colonel SEELY

We have other sources of information. It is only on the larger questions of policy that we have to call a meeting to take the advice of the Council.

Mr. SANDYS

Have there not been large and important questions of policy with regard to the recruiting of the force very much brought to the front during the we years which have elapsed since the last meeting?

Colonel SEELY

We have had information from other sources, including the officers themselves, on this matter.

Mr. SANDYS

Does it not seem to the right hon. Gentleman that the most useful information could have been obtained from this body of experts?

Colonel SEELY

We have heard from them all individually.

Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSON

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why this Council has not been called?

Colonel SEELY

Because I have just got to the War Office.