§ 10. Mr. HARRISasked the Secretary of State for War what is the estimated cost of the proposed Army manŒuvres in September; and what it is expected his Department will have to pay to farmers for compensation for damage done to their land and their crops?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)The provision for field training in this year's Estimates includes about £50,000 for brigade and inter-divisional training. Any compensation involved will be paid out of this sum but heavy claims are not anticipated.
§ Mr. HARRISIs the bulk of that £50,000 for the September manŒuvres, or only a small portion of it? Can the right hon. Gentleman answer approximately?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIf the hon. Member means for compensation, a very small portion.
§ Mr. HARRISI mean the total cost of the manŒuvres in September.
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSNo; there is a sum of £50,000 included in the Estimate and I cannot say how much of that will be spent.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCan the right hon. Gentleman say if tanks are to be used in these manŒuvres; and, if so, how does he say that there will be very little damage?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI am not sure whether tanks will be used or not. I rather doubt if they will be used.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYwhat will be the use of the manŒuvres if no tanks are to be used?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe hon. and gallant Gentleman perhaps did not hear my answer, that these are brigade and divisional manŒuvres.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it not a fact that you have tanks with a division of infantry in Shanghai now; and is it proposed that any division will ever go into action without tanks?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIt is not the case that there are tanks with a division in Shanghai now.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYThen who are they with?