§ 14. Dame Irene Wardasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the rôle to be played by the Territorial Army in modern defence, he will reconsider his decision to cut the training allowance.
§ Mr. SoamesI would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given on 9th July to the right hon. Member for Dundee, West (Mr. Strachey).
§ Dame Irene WardWhether that answer was good or bad, is my right hon. Friend aware how resentful the country is, at a time when the Territorial Army was receiving, as was its due, all praise for its contribution to the national effort over fifty years, that somebody took leave of his senses and announced at that 1216 moment the reduction of the training grant? Will my right hon. Friend discuss with the Cabinet whether in future we might have a "Minister of Psychology" so that we shall not again have such appalling timing in something affecting those who have served the nation so well? It was a most idiotic decision, and I resent it very deeply.
§ Mr. SoamesI understand that my hon. Friend is not pleased with the decision, but I think she has rather overstated what is involved. The amount of training decided upon is at the level it was in the financial year 1956–57. That is considered by the War Office to be adequate training for the Territorial Army. If we find that the imposition of this restriction not to go above that level has any bad effect whatever upon the training of the Territorial Army, it will immediately be reviewed.