§ 28. Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that recruits are being taken into the London Scottish who have no connection with Scotland, 58 such recruits being received into one battalion and 100 into another; and whether it is his intention that the distinctive tradition of the London Scottish should be preserved?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaA number of men recently called up under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act have been posted to Territorial Army battalions. Every effort was made to post Scottish recruits to Scottish units, but the number of Scottish recruits in this particular quota was not sufficient, and it was necessary to supplement them from other sources.
§ Mr. GibsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this matter has created very great alarm among Scotsmen both inside and outside London, and will he take steps to ensure a preservation of the regimental tradition with regard to the London Scottish and other Scottish regiments?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI am most anxious to do that. I was not aware of the indignation—[HON. MEMBERS: "Alarm"]—but, as the London Scottish seems to 1729 contain an undue number of Englishmen, steps will be taken to withdraw the Englishmen—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"]—and to replace them by Scotsmen in future; but this cannot be guaranteed for the full duration of the war.