12. Mr. FREDERICK HALL (Dulwich)asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of mounted men of the Territorial Force included in the troops to be reviewed by His Majesty the King on the 5th July; if the War Office have at their disposal a sufficient number of horses for the men; and, if not, what is the extent of the shortage and for how long has it existed; and what use it is proposed should be made of these mounted units of the Territorial Force for which horses are not provided in the event of the men being called upon for active service?
§ 14 and 15. Major M'CALMONTfurther asked (1) whether practice in marching past, dismounted, forms any part of the ordinary training of a mounted unit of the Territorial Force; whether the mounted units are attending the review on 5th July on foot at their own request; and (2) whether arrangements were completed for a supply of horses sufficient for the whole of the London Territorial mounted units for the review on Wimbledon Common; and whether any of those horses would have been supplied from Regular Army sources or from districts not available to London Territorial units on mobilisation?
§ 16 Earl WINTERTONasked (1) whether there is any precedent, in the case of a Royal Review of either Regular or Territorial troops, for mounted brigades being paraded dismounted; (2) whether all of the regiments in the London Mounted Brigade have expressed their intention of parading dismounted at the Royal Review of the London Territorial Force; and (3) the name of the general officer who advised the Secretary for War that the mounted units of the London Territorial Force could parade dismounted?
§ Colonel SEELYThe mounted units concerned will be present at the Royal Review either as units or in representative detachments. They will not march past. As regards precedents, on the occasion of the previous inspection of the London Division in 1910, the Infantry marched past, the Royal Artillery belonging to the division 956 being present, and lining the parade ground. The military authorities have arranged for this precedent to be followed on this occasion. With regard to horses I would refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the published statement of the President of the County of London Territorial Association. His statement was as follows:—"It is not a fact that horses were unobtainable—on the contrary they had been obtained. There was no difficulty in obtaining the number required and there was no shortage."
Mr. ALAN SYKESAre we to understand that the mounted branches will have the privilege of keeping the lines—of keeping back the public?
§ Colonel SEELYI have said that the precedent of the previous review will be followed in this case. I have no doubt that the military authorities will make very good arrangements.
§ Earl WINTERTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the last review the Artillery kept the ground, and were not considered as taking part in the review. Will the right hon. Gentleman say if all the regiments in the London Mounted Brigade have expressed their intention of parading dismounted?
§ Colonel SEELYThe military authorities have made full arrangements for this review, and I think the best arrangement that can be made is to follow precedent. If the Noble Lord will arrange for a fine day, that is all that will be required.
§ Earl WINTERTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that at least one regiment of London Yeomanry has expressed an intention of taking no part in the review?
§ Colonel SEELYI have not heard that. I believe that everything has been satisfactorily settled.