§ Mr. HUNTasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that Lord Haldane stated that men trained for from four to six months, as proposed by the National Service League, would not be fit to meet Regular Continental troops trained for two or three years, he could say whether the fourth battalions of the Special Reserve, trained only for three months, could be sent at once to meet Regular troops on the Continent or be able to meet them in case of invasion?
§ Colonel SEELYIf the hon. Gentleman will read the words following those of the authority which he quotes, he will find the answer to his question regarding invasion: and as regards war on the Continent, I would point out that the fourth battalions mentioned do not form part of the Expeditionary Force.
§ Mr. HUNTasked the Secretary of State for War why the 93,000 men posted to the Ersatz Reserve, in Germany, were excluded from his estimate of the numbers 1397W taken in that country for military training, whilst 42,000 men recruited for the Territorial Force in the United Kingdom were included; and can he say whether many of the 93,000 men posted to the Ersatz Reserve, in Germany, did or did not receive a longer period of training than our Territorials?
§ Colonel SEELYThe men posted to the Ersatz Reserve were not included because, though they are liable for training for certain periods, at the present time they are rarely called out for such training, and for the period in question it is understood that only 2,700 were so called out. I therefore expressly stated in the answer refered to that the Ersatz Reserve was not included in the number given.