HC Deb 23 May 1939 vol 347 cc2069-70
58. Lieut.-Colonel Macnamara

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement on what are to be the special advantages, inducements, etc., for men who, on completing their Militia service, join the Territorials, in comparison with those who remain in the Reserve and who, therefore, will not have to put in military training throughout the year as do the Territorials?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

No special advantages or inducements will be offered, but it is expected that a number of militiamen, after the completion of their six months' training, will wish to join or rejoin the Territorial Army, and the Military Training Bill provides accordingly. The Reservists will do an extra period in camp to compensate for the absence of drills.

Colonel Sandeman Allen

Will my right hon. Friend see that the militiamen are entitled to the Territorial efficiency medal, and will take that into account in their service?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

They will not lose their entitlement to the medal. I shall have pleasure in taking that into consideration.

Lieut.-Colonel Macnamara

Is it a fact that Territorials and militiamen, after conscript service, will both receive exactly the same allowances?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

The bounty will be the same, but I think that if anything, the Reservist will do more work than the Territorial, because he will probably have to go to camp for three consecutive weeks as compared with the Territorial's two weeks. At any rate, the intention is that there should be no advantage given to the Reservist over the Territorial. In fact, the reverse would be the case.

59. Lieut.-Colonel Macnamara

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention to take away the rank of Territorial non-commissioned officers should the Territorial Army be embodied for war and should Territorial noncommissioned officers then have to take their places with Regulars; and, if not, why should their rank be removed from them during their temporary embodiment for six months Militia service?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

A Territorial noncommissioned officer on embodiment would remain a Territorial and would retain his rank as such. A Territorial who is called up for service with the Militia is not embodied.