§ 16. Sir R. POLE-CAREWasked whether it. is intended to reduce or absorb batteries AA or BB or any other batteries of the Royal Horse Artillery; whether it is in tended to reduce or absorb the 21st brigade, or batteries 148, 149, 150, or any other brigade or batteries of the Royal Field Artillery; and, if so, whether he can explain this reduction of cadres?
§ Colonel SEELYI have nothing at present to add to the replies which I have already given to the hon. and gallant Gentleman on this subject.
§ Sir R. POLE-CAREWWill the right hon. Gentleman give a guarantee that no reduction in the batteries will be carried out without giving this House an opportunity of considering it and expressing an opinion upon it?
§ Colonel SEELYNo, Sir. I cannot give an undertaking that no steps will be taken without consulting the House. That would be an impossible undertaking to give. I have already said, and I repeat again, that 339 the rearrangements will be made in the sole interest of increasing the striking efficiency of the Artillery.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEWill the right hon. Gentleman state what are the steps he proposes to take to strengthen the Artillery?
§ Colonel SEELYNo, Sir. The matter is not yet settled; it is being considered with a view to increasing the striking efficiency of the Artillery. It is usual for the Minister responsible to take what steps he thinks best after consultation with his military advisers, and later it is for the House to express an opinion.
§ Sir R. POLE-CAREWAre we to understand that the reduction or absorption of Artillery increases its fighting efficiency?
§ Colonel SEELYThat is a matter of opinion and for debate. If the House of Commons thinks wrong steps have been taken, it is open to the House, by a vote, to get the matter altered.
§ Sir R. POLE-CAREWWill the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to guarantee we shall have an opportunity of considering the question in Debate?
§ Colonel SEELYI do not think it would be possible, and it would be quite contrary to precedent, to arrange for a Debate on every possible rearrangement of our fighting forces which takes place from day to day. What the House has a right to ask is that no reduction should be made in our fighting efficiency without the House having an opportunity of considering it, but as to a rearrangement of details on the return of a battery from South Africa I think it would be unreasonable to make such a suggestion.