§ 24. Sir A. KNOXasked the Secretary of State for War whether the training grants to Territorial battalions have been increased this year or not?
Mr. COOPERThe total grant allotted to the Territorial Army for training and instruction outside the camp period is the same in 1936 as in 1935, and I am satisfied that, unless there is an appreciable improvement in recruiting, this amount is adequate. The allotment of the grant between the various units in each command is a matter for the discretion of the general officers commanding-in-chief, and I am unable to say, without reference to commands, whether there are any variations in the sums allotted to individual Territorial battalions.
§ Sir A. KNOXAs all the new benefits of the Territorial Army are for conditions of service only, would it not be wise to increase the training grant in order to show the country that the Government take a Territorial Army seriously?
Mr. COOPERThe steps that have been taken this year will show that the Territorial Army is taken seriously, and if recruiting goes up to what we hope, it may be necessary to increase the training grant.
§ 25. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for War what is the 191 nominal established strength of the Territorial anti-aircraft force; and what are the present numbers recruited for the same?
Mr. COOPERThe establishment of Air Defence troops of the Territorial Army is 630 officers, 16,309 other ranks. The strength on 1st May was 453 officers, 5,656 other ranks.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWhat steps are being taken to make good this serious deficiency, and are the local authorities giving every assistance, both in raising men and in providing facilities for training?
Mr. COOPERWe are taking every step that we can think of in order to increase recruiting for the Territorials, and the majority of the local authorities, though not all, are helping.