§ Mr. PETOasked the Secretary of State for War whether an appeal was made last year to men between the ages of forty and fifty to join in order to bring up certain provisional battalions of the Territorial Force to full strength; if so, whether it was represented to them that they would be allowed forty-eight hours' leave once a month to enable them to attend to their private business affairs: and, if so, whether he will direct the officers commanding these battalions, in so far as possible, to grant this leave of absence to these men?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGENo such undertaking is known, nor was such a promise authorised by the War Office.