50. Captain FABERasked the Secretary of State for War whether the depot of the Hampshire regiment and the head quarters of its Special Reserve battalion 886 are remaining at Winchester; whether the Special Reserve battalions of the Royal Rifles and Rifle Brigade are also to recruit in Hampshire; whether the latter used to recruit at Woolwich and not in Hampshire; whether he is aware that the Hampshire Special Reserve will be injuriously affected as regards recruiting, seeing that many men are also recruited for the Navy from that county; and will he say what the reason is for upsetting the equilibrium of recruiting by this change?
§ 52. Mr. PERKINSalso asked whether this arrangement will seriously interfere with the Territorial system of recruiting for the Hampshire regiments; and whether the towns of Woolwich and Stratford have been added to the area in which the Hants regiments may recruit, as a partial recompense for the loss of their old recruiting ground?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe depot of the Hampshire regiment and the headquarters of the Special Reserve battalion remain at Winchester. The Special Reserve battalions of the King's Royal Rifles and the Rifle Brigade are allowed to recruit in Hampshire. The recruiting figures, however, go to show that this arrangement has not so far interfered with the recruiting of the Special Reserve battalion of the Hampshire regiment, as the Rifle Battalions are drawing very few recruits from Hampshire, A close watch, however, will be kept, and steps will be taken, if they become necessary, to safeguard the interests of the Special Reserve battalion. It is the case that the 3rd battalion Hampshire regiment has been allowed to recruit in Woolwich and Stratford. This arrangement was adopted independently of the change of the Rifle sub-depot from Woolwich to Winchester, because, with the Hampshire area alone to recruit in, the battalion had not been able to maintain its establishment.
§ Mr. TENNANTI have answered that.
Captain FABERIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Hampshire Special Reserve bitterly complain of this arrangement, and say that this recruitment is interfering with them?
§ Mr. TENNANTI have informed the hon. Member that steps will be taken, if necessary, to safeguard the interests of that regiment.
§ Mr. LEEHas the War Office received a protest against this change from the Lord Lieutenant of the county? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware there is a very strong feeling in the county against the proposed change in view of the fact that already there is an exceptionally heavy strain thrown on the county by the very large recruiting for the Royal Navy?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am not aware of what the hon. Member has informed me, but I have no doubt it is correct. I will make further inquiries.
Captain FABERAs the right hon. Gentleman said they were getting hardly any recruits for the Royal Rifles, may I ask what is the object of keeping on this arrangement?