HC Deb 15 June 1920 vol 130 cc1073-4
29. Mr. FREDERICK GREEN

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the Territorial Force is being reconstituted as a self-contained citizen army on a popular basis, any steps have been taken to secure the active co-operation of leading representatives of local authorities, such as mayors of municipal boroughs in the London area, in holding local recruiting meetings and taking other steps desirable, in conjunction with the local territorial associations, to secure an adequate number of recruits for the Territorial Army?

Mr. CHURCHILL

It is a cardinal principal of the present Government scheme for the Territorial Army that this citizen force shall be constituted and raised on the broadest popular basis. The local Territorial Associations who are the recognised official agencies for recruiting the Territorial Army are themselves based on a local and popular system of organisation and are exhorted to co-operate to the fullest extent possible with representative local authorities or organisations for other public purposes in this matter. Under the constitution of the London Territorial Association out of 56 co-opted members, 28 are the Mayors of London Municipalities co-opted ex officio. The London Association have in fact addressed invitations to all the mayors in question to co-operate with them in the manner suggested in the hon. Member's question. In eight cases favourable replies have been received from the mayors of

Hammersmith Lewisham
Holborn Westminster
Chelsea Finsbury
Kensington Islington.
In eight other cases the replies received from the Mayors of
Stepney Fulham
Bermondsey Poplar
Camberwell St. Pancras
Battersea Greenwich
have proved unfavourable. The mayors of these boroughs have, unfortunately, declined co-operation. In the other 12 cases no reply has been received to the Association's invitation.

Mr. GREEN

May I ask whether these mayors who have returned unfavourable answers have resigned their ex-officio positions?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No, Sir.

Major PRESCOTT

Have appeals been made to the authorities of Greater London?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am sure they have.