HC Deb 16 April 1913 vol 51 cc1921-2
32. Mr. HUNT

asked the Secretary for War whether his attention has been called to the statement of a Territorial officer that, in his battalion in London, anyone bringing in a recruit between 1st December and 31st March last, pledged to attend camp for a fortnight the first year, could obtain as much as 15s. for so doing; and whether this money was paid by the Territorial Association or by the Government?

Colonel SEELY

Permission has been given to Territorial Associations to pay recruiting rewards not exceeding 1s. 6d., if they have realised surplus funds, but no direct payment is made from Army funds. Nothing is known at the War Office of the case mentioned.

Mr. HUNT

Does the right hon. Gentleman allow that this 1s. 6d. is given? Does the Army Council consider that that is a satisfactory way of obtaining recruits?

Colonel SEELY

If the hon. Gentleman will give me particulars of cases at variance with the rules I have laid down I will gladly consider them.

33. Mr. HUNT

asked the Secretary for War whether his attention has been called to the statement of a Territorial officer that under the present state of affairs in the average battalion of the Territorials most of the spare time of the keen officers and non-commissioned officers was occupied in vain efforts to obtain recruits instead of acquiring military knowledge; and what he proposes to do to rectify this state of affairs?

Colonel SEELY

I am not aware of the statement mentioned.