§ 33. Lieut.-Colonel CAMPIONasked the Secretary of. State for War whether it is his intention to bring home the cadres of first-line Territorial units now serving in the Armies of Occupation in order to facilitate the reconstruction of the Territorial Force at home; if so, how many officers and other ranks these cadres will contain; and whether he will consider the advisability of bringing home all officers and other ranks who joined such units prior to the year 1916 and are pre pared to continue service in the Territorial. Force at home?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLComprehensive instructions regarding the preliminary steps to be taken for the reconstruction of the Territorial Force have been issued and these include the return to the United Kingdom of first-line Territorial units, as and when they can be be spared. It is not considered that the presence in the United Kingdom of first-line units is necessary to enable the preliminary steps of reconstruction to be proceeded with. As regard the second part of the question, the strength of cadres varies with 1811 the arm to which a unit belongs. In the case of an Infantry battalion a cadre amounts to four officers and forty-six other ranks, while a Royal Field Artillery battery totals from two officers and fifty-nine other ranks to three officers and 119 other ranks. The whole of the personnel referred to in the third part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question are demobilisable and are being released as rapidly as possible.