§ 72. Mr. Saltasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the 160,000 Territorials now serving have no provision for their necessary physical training at their drill halls and in camp; and will he consider providing such simple equipment as parallel bars, springboards, a horse and mats, together with the provision of suitable instructors?
§ Sir V. WarrenderTerritorial Army noncommissioned officers are allowed to train as physical training instructors, and get extra pay for so acting. Moreover, physical training instruction counts towards the number of drills required. The question of additional provision by way of instruction or equipment has been under continual review, but at the moment my right hon. Friend considers that the military training and re-equipment of the Regular and Territorial Armies must be given priority.
§ Mr. SaltDoes not the Minister consider that physical training is one of the most important parts of the work of these Territorial units; and considering that this question has been put to the War Office several times in recent years, should it not now be considered and met?
§ Sir V. WarrenderI would not deny the importance of physical training, but military training, we consider, must take the first place.