VISCOUNT HAMPDENMy Lords, I rise to ask the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, taking into consideration the onerous duties that fall on divisional cavalry in time of war, it is the opinion of the Government that this work can be adequately performed by partially-trained troops. This is a subject of great importance, and one which has not been really considered in your Lordships' House. In the debate on the Army Bill 659 the standpoint and the view of the Regular Army were not really considered. We rightly heard a great deal as to the point of view of the Militia, the Yeomanry, and the County Associations, but as to the Regular Army we heard very little. We are told that the duties of the divisional cavalry are light ones, and do not entail using units as units; but theory to a great extent falls to the ground when you get on active service. I am sure noble Lords who have been on active service will agree with me that men sent forth as divisional cavalry will very likely be taken for other duties and other work. Under the present system there is the strategical cavalry moving ahead of the main body. Then there is the screen. According to our present strength there are only two cavalry regiments in the screen, though I admit the number is increased by mounted infantry. But my point is that the strategical cavalry and the screen may be employed far away, and a commanding officer may have no cavalry left except the men given him as divisional cavalry, whom he will consequently have to use as Regular cavalry. You cannot, therefore, look at these men from any other point of view than that of Regular cavalry, and I do not think the training which it is proposed to give them is sufficient to equip them for that work.
§ THE EARL OF PORTSMOUTHThe duties of divisional cavalry in time of war will be limited, as a rule, to the immediate vicinity of the infantry division, and will be less of a collective than of an individual character. They will comprise a great deal of despatch riding, for which, it is thought, intelligent Yeomen will be especially well fitted, and the Army Council consider that a short course of military training will fit Yeomen, who are drawn from a class of intelligence and used to a life in the country, for the duties required of them in forming divisional squadrons. I am quite aware that there has been, and is, a difference of opinion as to the value of this divisional cavalry; but I should just like to mention that there are some very distinguished military men of the highest possible experience and position who have a very high opinion of the efficiency and value of the Yeomanry for this purpose and of the value of the Yeomanry generally. I am afraid I would not be justified in giving the name, but I quote from a letter 660 from a very high authority which I have received—
For some descriptions of active service I would almost as soon have a good Yeomanry regiment as a regiment of line cavalry. Or, to put the point still more definitely, I would as soon have four squadrons of Yeomanry as three of cavalry.
§ LORD NEWTONIs the authority Major Seely?
§ THE EARL OF PORTSMOUTHshook his head in dissent.