§ Mr. WARDLEasked the Under-Secretary for War (1) whether the National Reservists who have enlisted as soldiers in supernumerary companies attached to Home service units for the protection of vulnerable points, and whom it is proposed to amalgamate into a separate corps, will be allowed the alternative of continuing to serve with the units for which they were attested, or whether the War Office has abandoned the privilege, lately advertised, of allowing recruits to join units of their own choice; and (2) whether the National Reservists who have enlisted for service in supernumerary companies attached to Home service battalions of regiments in which many of the men served their original terms as soldiers are now to be amalgamated into separate corps; whether he is aware that the men resent being detached from corps for which they were attested; and whether, in view of the deterrent effect such a change is having on re-enlistment, he will consider the desirability of restoring to the supernumerary companies their original regimental names and identity?
§ Mr. TENNANTThere is no intention of amalgamating supernumerary companies of Territorial Force reserve battalions into a separate corps, or of detaching the Territorial soldiers recruited from the National Reserve from their own companies and posting them to other units.
§ Mr. ARTHUR HENDERSONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether Army Form B 218, detailing rates of pay, which has been distributed from house to house, provides that ex-noncommissioned officers who belong to the National Reserve and were registered in Class II. before the 2nd August are entitled to £5 if enlisting for Home defence only; whether he is aware that some of the county associations have refused to pay such gratuity on the ground that a particular 808W card was not issued by the appropriate officer in respect of such registration; and whether he will have this matter adjusted?
§ Mr. H. BAKERYes, Sir, except that the date is 11th August. Prior registration is a question of fact. I understand that is some cases the evidence is incomplete, and I am having inquiry made.