§ Mr. NIELDasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that recruits who previous to enlistment have had no training, either physical or military, are being sent to the front after only twelve weeks' training, while fully trained men, fit in every respect for foreign service, are still retained in England though they have been under training from twelve to eighteen months; and why no system of discrimination exists to equalise the risks and therefore the element of sacrifice among all men serving in the force?
§ Mr. FORSTERIt is necessary to retain in this country sufficient trained men for Home defence, and the number so retained is kept as low as possible. Men fit for general service in the Home defence formations are being gradually withdrawn, and replaced by men unfit for service abroad, but this can only be done gradually in order to avoid destroying the efficiency of these formations.