§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (LORD STRATHCONA AND MOUNT ROYAL) moved, That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, praying 823 His Majesty to make an Order in Council I under the Military Manoeuvres Acts, 1897 and 1911, a draft of which was presented to this House on the 12th day of February last. The noble Lord said: My Lords, this Resolution is in the usual terms, and, if it is agreed to, the draft Order will be laid before His Majesty in Council as soon as possible after the King's reply to the Address is received. It is proposed to apply the Manoeuvres Acts for a period of three calendar months from July 8 over an area comprising parts of Wiltshire, Hampshire and Sussex, the major portion of the area being in Hampshire. Army manoeuvres under the direction of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff will take place in the area from September 17 to 20. The troops taking part will be 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Divisions, a composite cavalry brigade, and five battalions of the Royal Tank Corps, together with certain artillery, engineer, signal and other units. In addition, a Territorial Army infantry brigade, armoured car company, and cavalry divisional signals will take part. The total number of troops will be about 50,000. They will be organised into two opposing corps, one of which will be commanded by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Aldershot Command, and the other by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command.
§ It is intended to make the whole area, available for these operations, but it is impossible to forecast before the operations begin the precise areas which will be occupied by troops. Prior to the 824 Army manoeuvres, the area to which the Acts are applied is being divided into sub-areas for the use of the Aldershot, Eastern and Southern Commands, to carry out brigade and divisional training. The 2nd Division from Aldershot will camp in the area south-west of Petersfield and the 4th Division from the Eastern Command in the area between Stockbridge and Salisbury from approximately August 20 to September 17. The Tank Brigade may carry out certain exercises of short duration in the manoeuvres area during the period from August 11 to 31, but after that date the battalions of the brigade will be dispersed to divisions with which they will co-operate as army tank battalions. In addition to these arrangements, isolated units will train in the area at various times after July 8. Perhaps I should also mention that a map showing the manoeuvre area has been placed in the Library and copies of the draft Order in Council are available for noble Lords in the Vote Office. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying His Majesty to make an Order in Council under the Military Manoeuvres Acts, 1897 and 1911, a draft of which was presented to this House on the 12th day of February last.—(Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to, and ordered accordingly: the said Address to be presented to His Majesty by the Lords with White Staves.
§ House adjourned at seventeen minutes past seven o'clock.