§ 20. Sir W. de FRECEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the desire of the health and seaside resorts of the country that the date of the military manœuvres should be announced each year as early as possible; and whether he can agree to this course?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI am not aware of any failure to give early notice to the localities in which military manœuvres and training are to be held1 Notice of the area and period of this year's manœuvres was given in March, 2196 when the draft Order applying the provisions of the Military Manœuvres Act was published. The dates and places of the Territorial Army training were published with the Army Orders in April.
§ Mr. MARDY JONESWill the right hon. Gentleman say that there will be no repetition of what happened before, when farmers who lent their horses out for manœuvres were done out of their money? I put a question some time ago about it.
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSYes, and I answered it then.
§ Mr. JONESBut has the right hon. Gentleman taken precautions to see that it is not repeated? A large number of these farmers have been done out of the money which has been raised from the taxpayers of this country.
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI cannot allow that to pass. That is not a fair statement, and it is quite impossible for me to answer, as a supplementary question, a question which I have already answered two or three months ago.