§ Mr. LOUGHasked the Under-Secretary of State for War why there is greater difficulty in sending drafts to the Territorial regiments which have proved their worth than to Service battalions of the New Army; whether during the time when the London Territorials in France have been calling out for drafts several London battalions at Home have been refusing recruits, and, if so, by whose orders this was done; and whether he will impress upon the military authorities that, inasmuch as the normal Territorial establishment is only 800 and there is an increasing demand for details, the constant replacement of casualties is even more essential than in the case of the Regular Army?
§ Mr. TENNANTWhat I have just stated applies also to this question. I may say, however, that the greater difficulty which has existed in sending drafts to Territorial Force Regiments has been due to the fact that transfers have not been possible in the Territorial Force as in the Regular Army until the passing of the Military Service Act (Session 2). The difficulty will now be no greater than in the case of Regulars. It is a truism that the constant replacement of casualties is equally important both in the Regulars and in the Territorial Force, and I may also add that every effort is made to foresee requirements in both forces equally.