4. Captain FABERasked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to a meeting of the Territorial Force Association for the county of London at which a resolution was adopted to the effect that, as there is a continued deficiency in the establishment of the Territorial Force in the country, some system should be adopted which would provide a Territorial Force adequate in numbers for the defence of the country; whether he is aware that Field-Marshal Lord Nicholson is chairman of the above-named association; and whether, during his period of service on the Army Council, he made any official reports on the Territorial Force, and, if so, will he state their purport?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Colonel Seely)My attention has been called to this resolution, and I am glad that Lord Esher, the President of the Association, will have the advantage of the services of Lord Nicholson as chairman. Lord Nicholson is now on his way back to London. As to the last part of the question, I cannot find that Lord Nicholson made any official reports on the Territorial Force while he was on the Army Council or at any other time. He of course contributed to discussions on all aspects of military problems of offence and defence.
§ Colonel GREIGIs it not a fact that Field-Marshal Lord Nicholson was not chairman of the association at the time this resolution was moved, and that he did not become chairman until afterwards; secondly, was not the resolution strenuously opposed by at least one-third of the association before it was carried?
§ Colonel SEELYI have heard the statement in the last part of my right hon. Friend's question. I could not give without notice the precise date of Lord Nicholson's appointment, but I believe the facts are as stated. I believe that he was not appointed; certainly he had not actually taken up his appointment.