§ Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can make any statement with regard to the present strength of the Territorial Forces; and what steps he proposes to take to bring them up to full strength?
Mr. COOPERThere is at present a shortage of 1,854 officers and 41,984 other ranks in the Territorial Army. Although the position is still far from satisfactory, there are indications that the need for recruits is becoming more widely appreciated, and I am pleased to say that since April of this year there has been an increase of 9,582 in the number of recruits taken as compared with the corresponding period last year. During the coming months steps are being taken to launch an intensive recruiting campaign, and I have every confidence that, given the necessary support, the recent satisfactory results will be surpassed.
§ Mr. KEELINGasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider 1536W recognising the national services of employers who give extra leave on full pay to their staffs during training in Territorial Army camps by authorising them to use an official badge on their letterheads?