§ Major D. DAVIESasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 2,000 men have been compulsorily transferred from Welsh to English regiments, and that the majority of these men are monoglot Welshmen; whether he is aware that the Welsh divisions are being filled up with drafts from English regiments; and what steps he proposes to take, in the interests of national sentiment and efficiency, to allow Welsh recruits to be attached to Welsh units?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am not aware of the correctness of the statements in the first and second parts of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, and it would necessitate reference to the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief to enable me to reply. I can, however, assure my hon. and gallant Friend that everything possible is done to foster and preserve local and national sentiments and traditions, the value of which are fully recognised. If these interests have had to some extent to be disregarded it has only been due to considerations of a more vital nature in the military situation.