HC Deb 12 June 1912 vol 39 cc836-7
3. Mr. ARTHUR STRAUSS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he would state the number of men of the Paddington Rifles in camp the first week 1909 and 1910, second week 1909 and 1910, and the last field day in those two years?

Mr. TENNANT

The general officer commanding the London District has been requested to make the necessary enquiries.

4. Mr. ARTHUR STRAUSS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he had now made inquiries why the number of men of the Paddington Rifles in camp last year fell considerably in the second week; and, if not, would he make the necessary inquiries?

Mr. TENNANT

The general officer commanding the London District has been requested to make inquiries.

5. Mr. HARRIS

asked how many recruits joined the 10th (County of London) battalion during the year ending 31st October, 1911; and whether they exceeded the number of recruits who joined any other County of London battalion during, the same period?

Mr. TENNANT

The number of recruits who joined this unit during the year ending 30th September last amounted to 118. This number is greater than the number of recruits who joined some units and less than the numbers who joined other units. There are no figures available for the year ending 31st October, but there were only seven recruits taken for this unit during the quarter ending 31st December.

6. Mr. HARRIS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why the decision to disband the 10th (County of London) battalion was taken against the advice of the County Territorial Association, and without holding any local inquiry or conferring with the local Territorial committee in order to ascertain whether the conditions militating against the battalion were removable or not; and whether he had considered the discouraging effect this disregard of local opinion would have upon those working to promote the interests of the citizen force?

Mr. TENNANT

I would ask the hon. Gentleman to refer to the full reply given last Monday to a question put on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for the North-East Division of Bethnal Green, to which I have nothing to add.

Sir E. CORNWALL

Has the War Office the power to disband any battalion in spite of the protest of the County Association?

Mr. TENNANT

Yes; I think there is a power of that kind.