TERRITORIAL FORCE. (Hansard, 12 February 1913)

§ 14. Mr. HUNT
asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has seen the resolutions of Territorial Associations to the effect that they have never been able to get the necessary number of men, and that the numbers are likely to still further decrease; and whether, in view of this failure, he can say what steps he proposes to take to make the Territorial Force sufficient in numbers and efficient in training for the defence of the country?

§ Colonel SEELY
I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Falmouth on 17th December. During the last four months the Territorial Force has shown a continued increase in recruiting.

§ Mr. HUNT
Is it not a fact that a representative of the Government said in the House of Lords that they were short of numbers, and that they were likely to get less? Is the right hon. Gentleman going to leave us in that position?

§ Colonel SEELY
The Territorial Force showed continued increase in recruiting. It is constantly stated outside that the force is going down. It is not. It is going up.

19. Mr. CATHCART WASON
asked the Secretary of State for War, if members are not joining the Territorials in the numbers hoped for and anticipated; and, if so, whether, seeing that employers who encourage their employés to join are placed 921 in considerable disadvantage with those employers who will give their men no extra leave, he will consider if the State could pay the contribution of both employers and employés under the National Insurance Act in respect of men serving in the Territorials?

§ Colonel SEELY
At the present time recruiting is progressing satisfactorily; the figures for the December quarter of 1912 are considerably in excess of those for the same quarter in 1910 and 1911. The figures for re-engagements show a similar improvement. During January the net increase of non-commissioned officers and men amounted to 1,291. As regards the second part of the question which presumably refers to the contribution under the Insurance Act the suggestion will be carefully considered.