22. Earl WINTERTONasked the Secretary of State for War if he has now received the report of the Departmental Committee appointed by him to inquire into the reasons for the shortage of recruits for the Regular Army; and, if not, whether he is taking any steps meanwhile to enlist the aid of local authorities in order to make known the serious shortage which exists?
§ 25. Mr. HACKINGasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet received the report of the Committee which has been conducting a special examination into the problem of maintaining the strength of the Army; and, if so, whether he will tell the House what special steps are to be undertaken to improve recruiting?
§ Mr. SANDERSThe examination to which the right hon. Members refer is not being undertaken by a Committee but by those who are responsible for advising the Secretary of State on these matters. Consideration of the problem is still proceeding, and the subject continues to be 256 closely watched. In the meantime no special steps are being taken.
Earl WINTERTONWill the hon. Gentleman be good enough to convey to the Secretary of State that we intend to raise this matter on the Vote to-morrow, and that we shall not be satisfied with any such answer as he himself has just given?
§ Mr. SANDERSMy right hon. Friend is aware that the matter is to be discussed to-morrow, and is prepared to deal with the questions which will be put to him.