39. Mr. PALMERasked whether considerable economies, without loss of service efficiency, could be obtained by holding staff appointments to the Territorial Forces, with the exception of the general officer commanding the division and a staff captain, in abeyance until such time as the Territorial Army has been fully raised by the county associations; and whether further economies, without loss of efficiency, could be effected by dispensing with commandants commanding brigades and brigade-majors to the Territorial Forces except when such force are undergoing their training?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir. The work of reconstructing the Territorial Force demands the services of the full staff allowed by establishments and all the officers are actively employed. With regard to the latter part of the question, I would point out that it is during the period of individual training that brigade commanders and their staffs are afforded 211 an opportunity of gaining personal knowledge and experience of subordinate officers which are of such value when the higher training is carried out.