In the House of Commons on Tuesday Mr. Tennant introduced
the Army Estimates with a long review of the situation which left some things unsaid and said little new. He read a message from Sir Douglas Haig framed in excellent spirits. Tho lists of starred men and of reserved otoupations, he told the House, were being energetically revised. The number of unmarried men kept -at home as indispensables would certainly be reduced to its minimum. Lord Derby would not " let the 'married -men down." In speaking of the Air Service Mr. Tennant said that the defences of London were complete, and that those of the provinces were approaching completion. The supply of aero- planes was ahead of the supply of engines and pilots. Other speakers hotly criticized the inadequacy of medical arrangements in Mesopotamia. We may mention that Mr. -Pemberton- Billing, the air candidate, who was returned by a very large majority over the Coalition candidate at East Herts, made his maiden speech. He declared that we had ample material and plenty of pilots for the purposes of aerial defence, and that what was wanted was to got rid of " religious scruples " at the Admiralty against raids on Germany. His fluent but un- helpful speech leaves one wondering what East Hods supposes he is going to accomplish.
Previous page
