§ 52. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether several Territorial battalions who have volunteeed for foreign service are being detained here indefinitely on account of their reserves being under strength, owing to the drain by the New Armies on their special recruiting areas; and, if the battalions are to be detained, will officers and men who have devoted much time and labour to training in peace be given an opportunity of transferring to units which are serving or are about to serve at the front?
§ Mr. TENNANTWith two or three exceptions, all first-line Territorial battalions have either gone oversea or are in course of preparation for service oversea. I do not think it is correct to say they are being detained indefinitely, but obviously they cannot proceed until they are ready in all respects. The transferring of officers and men in the manner suggested would retard the process of preparation and tend to reduce the number of available units for service.