Mr. STRAUSSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War the reason for the disbandment of the Paddington Rifles without notice and without proper inquiry in face of the complimentary expressions by the Colonel and by the Territorial Force Association on the efforts of the Local Committee, and has he considered the disastrous effect this precedent will have, not only in losing about 600 fighting men, but in discouraging other local committees in their efforts on behalf of the Territorial Forces?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY Of STATE for WAR (Colonel Seely)In September of last year the General Officer commanding the London District strongly recommended the disbandment of the present 10th Battalion the Paddington Rifles, and the raising of a new battalion at Hackney in its place. He based his recommendation on the following grounds: that the 17 numbers attending annual training were very small, and that the battalion was not efficient; that the strength had been and continued to be far below the establishment, and that though every endeavour had been made to increase the numbers there did not appear to be any prospect of any substantial improvement in this respect. The Army Council fully considered the matter, and in view of the inefficiency of the unit, and the fact that the numbers of all ranks attending camp in the years 1909, 1910, 1911 for the full period of fifteen days were only 227, 208 and 187 respectively out of an establishment of 1006, decided that there was no alternative but to disband the unit, and transfer the 10th Battalion to an area where there was a good prospect of raising an efficient unit of adequate strength.
Mr. STRAUSSIn consequence of the unsatisfactory reply given by the Undersecretary of State for War, I beg to give notice that on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House I shall raise this question.
§ Sir HILDRED CARLILEMay I ask if the right hon. Gentleman can state the number who attended camp during the three years referred to for the period of eight days, instead of the extended period of fifteen days?
§ Colonel SEELYI have not got the figures for the three years, but I remember that the number at the last camp was approximately 393.
§ Sir H. CARLILEWould not that be about 50 per cent. of the whole strength of the battalion?
§ Colonel SEELYIt would be less than half—not very much over one-third of the establishment.
§ Mr. HARRISMay I ask whether any notice was given to the local Territorial Committee, and whether the Army Council will not allow the local committee to place their case before them?
§ Colonel SEELYWith regard to the first part of the question, a letter was written to the County Association so long ago as 28th November last. As regards the second part, the Secretary of State has stated to the County Association that he will be glad to meet them at three o'clock on Monday, though I can no longer hope that the decision will be reversed.