§ 26. Lieut.-Colonel Macnamaraasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now make a statement as to when the Territorials will receive an adequate supply of uniforms and equipment; why 194 all available uniforms and equipment are being concentrated on militiamen; and whether he will consider the advisability of getting the Territorials, who are an existing, officered and organised army, ready and properly equipped for war before diverting all energies to recruits who have not yet even come up for service?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaIt is not the case that all available uniforms and equipment are being concentrated on militiamen, and, as my hon. and gallant Friend must be aware, every endeavour is being made to provide Territorials with an adequate supply.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MacnamaraDoes my right hon. Friend remember that not so long ago we were making every endeavour to get men to join the Territorials, and that they have been extremely discouraged ever since because they have not got the uniforms and equipment they were led to believe they would get, and that they have come to the conclusion that they have been completely neglected since compulsion was introduced?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaNo, Sir, and I very much regret that my hon. and gallant Friend's questions contain that suggestion. I have visited four Territorial units in the last two or three days, and I find that their spirits are extremely high.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MacnamaraIs my right hon. Friend aware that uniforms and equipment are not coming forward, and that it is a fact that the Army has not got the stuff?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI think the Territorials realise that everything possible is being done to meet the needs of a doubled Territorial Army in the quickest possible time, and all Territorial units should have complete uniforms in July.
§ 27. Lieut.-Colonel Macnamaraasked the Secretary of State for War how much money has had to be spent by the War Office in India, France and other foreign countries since 1st March, to buy khaki, tents and other military equipment, and why no reserves of these and other military necessities were kept during a time of international tension to meet even a small peace-time military expansion such as is now going on?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI assume my hon. and gallant Friend refers to the purchase" 195 of stores arising from recent military expansion. The amount of money spent in India, France and other countries overseas is about £100,000. I cannot agree that the increasing of the Regular Army, the doubling of the Territorial Field Army, the expansion of the Territorial Anti-Aircraft Army and the raising of the militia can accurately be described as a small peace-time military expansion. Adequate reserves were maintained for the forces previously authorised.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MacnamaraIs my right hon. Frined aware that military circles in this country, and also a great many of the general public, have had their confidence in the War Office very much shaken because the War Office, since the Munich crisis, have not laid in stocks to meet what is, in fact, only a small expansion compared with the expansion we might have had if there had been a war?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThat may be so in the hon. and gallant Member's circle, but that is a very small one.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MacnamaraIs my right hon. Friend aware that what may be a very small circle as far as I am concerned for the moment would not be a small circle were there to be a war?