§ 79. Mr. HOGGEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in Glasgow and Edinburgh there are at present applications from 2,000 bantams who could be handed over to the War Office at any moment; and whether, in view of these facts, the War Office are now prepared to give their consent to the formal recruiting of such battalions?
§ Mr. TENNANTWe are in communication with the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Scottish Command, and hope to be in a position to give a definite reply shortly.
§ Mr. HOGGEWill my right hon. Friend say how the enrolment of these men, who are under the height for joining any other battalion, can interfere with the recruiting of those battalions; and, if they do not interfere, why the War Office does not give authority at once to raise bantam battalions all over the country?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe answer is that we have to consider our requirements for providing drafts for the wastage of War, and it is just possible we may use these men for that purpose rather than form them into new battalions.