§ Sir J. ROLLESTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the War Office have decided that, in the case of Territorial units on active service, no more drafts are to be sent to them from their respective reserve units at home but that when their numbers, in the case of Infantry battalions, are reduced below 400, they will be attached to other Territorial units and composite battalions formed; and, seeing that that course will be discouraging to the efficiency of and the recruiting for Territorial Forces and will be a virtual breach of faith with individual officers and men who compose them, whether he will take into further consideration the step proposed?
§ Mr. TENNANTIt is not the case that no more drafts will be sent; but when battalions are very much reduced in numbers it may be necessary to associate them temporarily, for convenience of command and administration, with another battalion. Such attachment will cease as soon as sufficient reinforcements are available.