§ 4. Mr. ASHLEYasked the Secretary of State for War what decision has been arrived at with reference to bands, including pipe bands, of third-line units of the Territorial Force?
5. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked whether third-line Territorial units are to be allowed to retain their bands, including pipe bands, provided that no bands man of military age and fit for general service is employed?
6. Major-General Sir IVOR HERBERTasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of permitting the retention by third-line Territorial units of bands and pipers, provided no extra cost is entailed to the public beyond the daily pay and rations of the musicians and that the personnel of the musicians is restricted to men over military age and unfit for active military service?
§ 8. Major MURRAYasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to say whether third-line units of the Territorial Force will be permitted to retain their bands?
§ 10. Mr. HOGGEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can see his way to permit third-line draft-producing units to retain their bands, including pipe bands, provided no man fit for active service is so retained?
13. Mr. REDMONDasked the Secretary of State for War whether Reserve units are to be deprived of their bands, including their pipe bands, under a new regulation; and whether he has any information to the effect that this order will give great dissatisfaction and be injurious to the morale of the battalions?
§ 24. Mr. BIRDasked the Secretary of State for War whether, considering what an influence the maintenance of bands has upon the welfare and popularity of the Territorial Forces, he will take measures to secure the preservation of bands and pipe bands of third-line units in those forces?
§ 30. Major NEWMANasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the War Office has now been able to decide that third-line and draft-finding battalions may keep their bands, including pipe bands, provided that the bandsmen consist of men ineligible for general service at the front?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEAll of these questions raise the same point. It has already been stated that information is being collected from the commands on this matter, but it is not yet complete, and I am not in a position to announce any decision. I can, however, assure the hon. Gentlemen who are interested that the influence of the bands on the morale of the battalions will be kept in mind along with the other important considerations involved.
§ Mr. ASHLEYI thank the right hon. Gentleman very much for his reply. Would he bear in mind that these instruments in most cases have been given to the bands by private individuals with the consent of the War Office?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGECertainly!