HC Deb 02 July 1918 vol 107 cc1554-5
5. Colonel YATE

asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether the decision was made known on the 2nd May, 1916, that first-line Territorial units temporarily disbanded under pressure of military necessity would be reconstituted as units on the termination of hostilities and would be brought home as units, has been communicated to the Yeomanry regiments which have been broken up in order to strengthen Regular Cavalry regiments; and, if not, will he have that decision communicated to them without delay?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Macpherson)

The statement made by my predecessor on the 2nd May, 1916, to which I presume my hon. and gallant Friend refers, was made at a time when only a comparatively few Territorial Force units had been disbanded. As I informed my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Epping on the 11th June, it is impossible to give any pledge in this matter until we are in a position to come to a decision as to the composition of the Army which it will be necessary to maintain after the War. It is, however, the intention that first-line Territorial Force units which have been broken up should be reformed at the end of the War, if the circumstances obtaining at that time permit of such a course.

Mr. T. WILSON

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it quite clear to these men what their position really is, because there is a great deal of misapprehension?

Brigadier-General CROFT

Will consideration be given to the fact that when the first line Territorial units were called up, on the outbreak of war, they had no time to put their affairs in order—will that be considered in any matter of demobilisation?

Mr. MACPHERSON

That fact will certainly be taken into consideration. With regard to the supplementary question of my hon. Friend behind me (Mr. T. Wilson), I cannot say anything more definite than I have said on this question.

Colonel YATE

Will due consideration be given to this on the termination of hostilities?

Mr. MACPHERSON

As I pointed out in my answer to the original question, I do not think the pledge was more than what I have just stated—that if it were at all possible these units would be reconstituted and reformed after the War.