§ Mr. HUNTasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that he has given their mobility as a reason for depriving the Yeomanry of bayonets, he will say how near opposing troops armed with bayonets are to be allowed to approach before Yeomanry retire; is he aware that the German cavalry are in future to be aimed with bayonets as well as swords; and what cavalry, if any, will be attached to the Territorial Army who could oppose the cavalry of an invading force?
§ Mr. HALDANEIn the first part of the question, which can scarcely be intended to be serious, the hon. Member has overlooked the fact that the object of the mobility of mounted troops is to take offensive action. As regards the second part of the question, he has been misinformed: the German cavalry are experimenting with the bayonet with the view of its replacing the sword. The last part of the question is purely a matter concerning plans for home defence, upon which I do not propose to make any statement.
§ Sir SAMUEL SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for War whether the Yeomanry are to be armed with the short rifle; and whether he can state when these rifles will be issued?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe Yeomanry are to be armed with the short rifle, and orders for the issue of the rifles were given yesterday.
§ Sir SAMUEL SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for War whether he proposes 723W to maintain the bayonet as a weapon for the Yeomanry; and, if not, whether there would be a saving to public funds if the bayonets at present issued to Yeomanry were recalled, so as to be available as a reserve until the new bayonet had been issued to all the infantry of the Regular Army and Territorial Army?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe reply to both questions is in the negative.
§ Mr. BRODIEasked the Secretary of State for War, whether, in view of the fact that on the 10th May it was stated that the Yoemanry will not be armed with the sword, and on 11th May that it is not the intention to issue sword-bayonets to the Yeomanry after they are supplied with short rifles, he is aware of the principles of the employment of cavalry indicated in section 144 of cavalry training, 1907, issued by command of the Army Council; and whether he will consider the question of so arming and training the Yeomanry as to fit them to carry out what is acknowledged by our own and all foreign military experts to be the most important role of mounted troops?
§ Mr. HALDANEIn view of the limited period available for training the Yeomany, at all events until they are embodied, it is impossible to do more than instruct them in the use of the rifle, together with the other important mounted duties specified in section 2 of cavalry training as modified by section 210.
§ Mr. BRODIEasked the Secretary of State for War what incident occurred between 10th May and 11th May which caused the apparent change in intention with regard to the arming of the Yeomanry, seeing that on 10th May it was stated that the Yeomanry would be armed, as at present, with rifles and sword-bayonets, while on 11th May it was stated that it is not the intention to issue sword-bayonets to the Yeomanry when the new short rifle is issued to them; whether there is any object in retaining the sword-bayonet in the meantime; and whether the new short rifles are likely to be issued during the current year?
§ Mr. HALDANEThere was no change of intention between the two dates mentioned. The reply of 11th May was intended to be an amplification of that given on 10th May. Orders for the issue of the new rules were given yesterday.