§ 37. Mr. NIELDasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the establishment strength of the third line Territorial battalions is for the most part 840 men instead of 1,000, the normal battalion strength; what is the reason for this reduction in strength where ample men are available to bring the battalions up to the normal standard; and whether it is due to objection on the part of the Treasury to pay the extra expense of the pay of a lieutenant-colonel to command?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe establishment of a third line unit is two companies, and recruiting up to 50 per cent. over establishment has been temporarily allowed. The establishment is based on the requirements which the third line will be called upon to meet as a draft producing unit, and has not been fixed, as the hon. Gentleman is disposed to suggest, with a view to saving the difference between the pay of a major and of a lieutenant-colonel.
§ 38. Mr. NIELDasked why provisional battalions of Territorials of Home-service men are commanded by lieutenant-colonels, while other battalions of men for Foreign service training drafts for first battalions at the front are placed under officers who have only the rank of major, who in numerous cases have had to undertake the work of raising their battalions, especially where such officers have held that rank for years previous to the outbreak of war and are fully qualified for promotion?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe reason is that the provisional battalions have an establishment of a battalion, and the third line, or depot battalion, has an establishment of two companies. The establishments of the two kinds of unit respectively have, of course, been considered with reference to the military purposes which the units are intended to fulfil.