§ 18. Lieut.-Colonel RUGGLES-BRISEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has in view either the withdrawal or reduction of the grants now made to county Territorial Army associations in respect of the horses maintained by them?
§ Mr. SHAWThis year grants in connection with annual camps have been based, so far as mechanised units are concerned, on the fact that the units are mechanised, not horsed. The question whether the grants under paragraph 869, Territorial Army Regulations, for the provision of horses outside the annual camp period require adjustment in view of the progress of mechanisation is under consideration, and I am not yet in a position to state the decision.
§ Lieut.-Colonel RUGGLES-BRISEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the great value to recruiting of the retention of horses by Territorial Associations; has he forgotten that this is Territorial year; and is he aware that many artillery units will find it impossible to maintain their efficiency if the horses on which their battery staffs are mounted are withdrawn?
§ Mr. SHAWI am well aware that this is a question that raises much controvery and about which there is much difference of opinion. I can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that every effort is being made to get a satisfactory solution of the difficulty that undoubtedly exists.