HC Deb 22 July 1914 vol 65 cc427-8
52. Mr. F. HALL (Dulwich)

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what arrangements will be made in the event of the mobilisation of the Territorial Force to ensure the retention of their employment by members of the force on disbandment?

Mr. TENNANT

Definite arrangements to ensure that the civil employments of mobilised Territorials are kept open for them till they are demobilised have not been and cannot, I think, be formulated in advance, but any steps in this direction that may be appropriate will, of course, be taken when the proper time comes, and I have full confidence that employers will accord their employés no less generous treatment than they did in the case of the South African war.

Mr. HALL

Is not failure to deal with this point one of the reasons for the shortage in the numbers of the Territorial Force?

Mr. TENNANT

I do not know how that could possibly be.

Colonel YATE

Is there any special reason why these rules cannot be formulated in advance?

Mr. HALL

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that in many cases persons are deterred from joining the Territorial Force in consequence of the danger they may run of losing their situations, and is it not possible to do something to do away with that danger?

Mr. TENNANT

I quite understand what the hon. Gentleman means that there may be fear in the minds of the men, but I do not see how that can be got over by issuing rules in advance.