HC Deb 17 February 1920 vol 125 cc690-1
10. Major NALL

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the practical impossibility of appealing for recruits to the Territorial Army before conditions of service have been finally settled or commanding officers appointed, and before permanent staffs are installed at the various headquarters to answer inquiries and give information; and whether he will avoid unnecessary expenditure on a recruiting campaign until essential preliminaries have been cleared up?

Sir A. WILLIAMSON

Instructions as to procedure on enlistment and a pamphlet containing conditions of service in the new Territorial Force have been issued to all concerned. All pre-war units have officers in temporary command and in over sixty per cent. of the units the appointments of permanent commanding officers have been approved. The appointment of commanding officers for the remaining units will be dealt with, as promised, by the Travelling Board, which has commenced its sittings. Selected Adjutants are being posted to units and Permanent Staffs formed as rapidly as possible.

Colonel YATE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when a staff will be given to commanding officers? How is it possible for a commanding officer by himself to enlist recruits when he has no office and no staff?

Sir A. WILLIAMSON

The hon. and gallant Member is quite right. The matter is in hand. It cannot be done in one day. What the hon. and gallant Gentleman has said will be borne in mind, no doubt.

Major NALL

Is it not rather useless to advertise for recruits before there is anybody to give them information?

Sir A. WILLIAMSON

I cannot answer for the Secretary of State in a matter of this sort, but I understand the whole operation is in progress, and all the matters suggested by the hon. and gallant Gentleman will be dealt with.

Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Aberdeenshire and some parts of the North-Eastern district of Scotland there is considerable dissatisfaction with the proposal, and will the Territorial Association have ample opportunities of placing views before the Secretary of State?

Sir A. WILLIAMSON

I think that hardly arises out of the question.