§ Mr. PIRIEasked the Secretary of State for War if he will state on how many occasions during the training at Burghead of the Gordon Highland Infantry Brigade Territorial Force between 18th June and 2nd July, 1910, were the officers of the Territorial Force ordered to do written essays on tactics, on occasions when they might have been training the units under their command assembled in camp for that purpose; whether tactical essays and staff rides on paper can be more suitably performed during winter than when men are assembled in camp; and, if that is so, can he explain why public money should be expended in obtaining a manœuvring area and transporting a brigade over eighty miles if full advantage is not to be taken of such expenditure?
§ Mr. HALDANEIt appears on inquiry that the officers concerned did not write essays during the training. Before the field days, in the early morning, while the Men were being trained in elementary work under the adjutant and permanent staff, the officers were taught by the brigadier how to appreciate the situation that would arise, how to decide on their action and write their orders, so that, having thought out the reasons for their action, they might later in the day properly instruct their men. This work is closely connected with the practical side of their training.