§ 18. Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that by a recent Army Order No. 220, of 1913, some fifteen batteries of Royal Field Artillery, with long and distinguished histories, will be compelled to exchange their numbers, records, and digest of services with fifteen field batteries of recent creation; whether he will state if the plate and funds will also have to be exchanged; and whether he is aware of the loss of esprit de corps that this change will entail to the detriment of His Majesty's service?
§ Mr. TENNANTI must refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the answer given yesterday to a similar question put by the hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Preston. I am afraid I cannot undertake to deal more fully with this matter, which is of some complication, within the limits of the answer to a question, but I understand an opportunity will shortly arise for discussing it in Debate.
Major STANLEYWill the hon. Gentleman kindly say why cannot Batteries 136 to 150 be converted into Reserve Artillery, seeing that they have the shortest record of service instead of these batteries which have a long and distinguished record?
§ Mr. TENNANTI can only inform the hon. Gentleman that this matter was considered by a Committee of the highest experts in Artillery, and that that was their decision which was given unanimously.
Major STANLEYMay I ask whether any of these Artillery officers had any service in the Field Artillery, or were they all. Garrison Artillery officers?
§ Mr. TENNANTI cannot answer that.
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is deep dissatisfaction amongst the whole of the officers concerned?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am not aware, but I will represent that to my right hon. Friend.
§ Colonel YATEWill the hon. Gentleman have the question considered afresh by a new Committee?
§ Mr. TENNANTI cannot give an under- taking of that kind.
§ Mr. TENNANTNo, I do not think so.