§ 7. Wing-Commander Erringtonasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a regiment, of which he has been informed, is to be broken up, its officers and men drafted elsewhere and another unit given its name; and whether, in view of its close association with the borough of Bootle and surrounding areas, he is prepared to allow this regiment to remain as constituted at present.
§ Sir J. GriggMy hon. and gallant Friend is under some misapprehension. This regiment is not being broken up, and its title is not being transferred to another unit. It will be necessary to withdraw men from the regiment, as reinforcements for Forces overseas, but its role will continue to be of considerable importance.
§ Wing-Commander ErringtonWill my right hon. Friend ensure that, so far as possible, the territorial principle will be preserved in regard to this regiment?
§ Sir J. GriggAs far as possible; but I am bound to warn the hon. and gallant Member that, at this stage of the war, there are a good many cases in which it is not possible to maintain the territorial principle.
§ Colonel GreenwellDoes my right hon. Friend appreciate how much this breaking down of territorial traditions interferes with morale?
§ Sir J. GriggI can assure the hon. and gallant Member that there is no breaking down of territorial tradition. It is, unfortunately, inevitable, with the present distribution of regiments—as I have explained more than once in this House— that there should be some interference with posting, but we try to do it as little as possible.