§ Lord EDMUND TALBOTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War what number of Roman Catholic chaplains are already serving with the Expeditionary Force abroad, and whether it is intended to send more?
§ Mr. TENNANTThere are at present twelve Roman Catholic chaplains with the Expeditionary Force, and the Secretary of State does not at present see his way to send more, but, as soon as possible, any necessary additions will be made. In cases 979 of extreme necessity French priests would no doubt be available for ministering to our Roman Catholic soldiers in France and Belgium.
§ Lord E. TALBOTArising out of the last part of the answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is the opinion of the War Office that the Expeditionary Force is going to remain in France and is not going to fight its way into Germany?
§ Mr. TENNANTNo, Sir, I am pleased to say that is not the opinion of the War Office. I have said in the middle part of my answer that necessary additions may be made in certain eventualities, and no doubt that would be one.
§ Lord E. TALBOTMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman, as he has referred to the French priests, whether he is under the impression that the average English Catholic soldier speaks French and that the French priests speak English?
§ Mr. TENNANTNo, I do not think all of them do by any means, but I think both probably understand more than may be expected. I said, however, that only in extreme urgency would the services of French priests be utilised, and I might add that the Roman Catholics have proportionately a larger number of chaplains with the Expeditionary Force than any other communion.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYCan the right hon. Gentleman tell the House the number of Catholic soldiers for whom these twelve priests have to administer?
§ Mr. TENNANTNo, I am afraid I cannot give the number.