§ 21. Sir ASSHETON POWNALLasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it is intended to hold Territorial training in 1933 as in normal years
§ 24. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can now state the Government's decision with reference to the summer training camps of the Territorial Army next year; and what steps have been taken to express the thanks of the Government., and of Parliament, to the large number of Territorials who attended camp this year at their own expense?
§ Mr. COOPERI would refer my hon. Friends to the answer which I gave on 30th June to my hon. Friend the Member for South Salford (Mr. Stourton). As regards the second part of Question No. 24, the Army Council have expressed their thanks to those members of the Territorial Army who attended voluntary camps, in an official letter to all commands.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs my hon. Friend aware that the Territorial Army which is now responsible for home defence is gravely below its establishment and that recruiting is suffering by reason of the delay in making public the decision of the Government in regard to the camp next year? Will he kindly expedite the matter? Will the hon. Member say when I can put another question on the point; when the Government will have made up their mind?
§ Mr. COOPERThe hon. Member can put down a question, but it will not be possible to make a definite statement until all the Estimates of the year have been approved. I have already made the definite announcement that there is no intention of withholding the grant for the camps next year.