TRAINING.

HC Deb 04 April 1939 vol 345 cc2606-8

28. Mr. Tree

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the European situation, he is satisfied that the Territorial Army, and in particular its anti-aircraft divisions, should wait until the summer and autumn to hold their training camps and have practical experience in handling their new equipment under active service conditions, and bringing their large number of recruits to an efficient standard?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

As regards the Territorial Field Army, the basic training in the new weapons and equipment will occupy the spring and early summer. The camping season is already spread over the months of May to September. Much additional equipment and transport which is required for the use of units in camp is in process of delivery, and the needs of the camps in May and June, can just be met. If, however, the dates were advanced, there would be serious difficulties. With regard to the Territorial Anti-Aircraft Army, practice camps start on 28th May. Suitable weather conditions are essential for the firing practice and searchlight training at annual camps, and such conditions cannot be relied on before the last week in May; nor can the pre-camp training be completed before May.

Mr. Tree

Is my right hon. Friend aware that very few anti-aircraft units have any practical experience in the use of guns, and does he not think it is desirable, in view of the seriousness of the international situation, that as many as possible should be given training immediately?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

Yes, Sir. That is why I gave the first part of the answer to my hon. Friend, that the basic training in the new weapons and equipment will occupy the spring and early summer.

30. Mr. Boothby

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to increase the annual period of training for the Territorial Army?

32. Colonel Ponsonby

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the national emergency and the necessity for adequate training of the largely-increasing numbers of the Territorial Army, he is considering the extension of the period of training camps during the present year to one month?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

While it is recognised that an extension of the camp period would add to efficiency, a complete alteration this year of the training programme, with its carefully arranged succession of units on available sites, would present great difficulties in organisation, and would, moreover, cause serious inconvenience in a great many cases to members of the Territorial Army and their employers.

Mr. Boothby

Is it not a fact that the new weapons, with their complication, do require, over a considerable period, further training than is at present possible, and will my right hon. Friend bear this question in mind?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

Yes, Sir. I think my hon. Friend knows I am most sympathetic to his point of view, and I have said that an extension of the period of training would obviously increase efficiency, but we are dependent upon employers, and it would be impossible under the present arrangement to disorganise the whole of industry in the way suggested.

Mr. Boothby

May I ask whether, if the necessity arises, my right hon. Friend will not hesitate to pass legislation compelling employers to fall in with the requirements of the Government?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

Any such obligation would fall upon patriotic employers who at present are prepared to release men, and would not affect employers who do not employ Territorials at all or discharge Territorials from their service. For that reason, I think, the Government were reluctant to have this compulsion.

Sir Percy Harris

Will the Government consider passing legislation to make it an offence for any employer to dismiss a man because of membership of the Territorials or because he intends to join the Territorials?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

He might refrain from engaging Territorials.

Lord Apsley

Is my right hon. Friend aware that under the present system many men frequently join for only one week, if that is all the leave the employers can give them? If the period of training were increased from a fortnight to three weeks, it would be possible to train about one-third as many more effectives. Those who as now had a week only would still do a week; whereas those who could get more than a week, including the permanent staff, could be engaged for the full three weeks, with, say, a week-end of leave in between.