HC Deb 04 March 1873 vol 214 cc1286-7
MR. HENRY SAMUELSON

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the hitherto annual Easter Review of Volunteers has not proved to be of great use to the Force, as a stimulus to recruiting; and, whether, it is to take place this year as usual; and, if not, if he would state to the House why the Review is to be given up this spring?

MR. CARDWELL

I share, Sir, in the belief which has been expressed by the Committee of Commanding Officers that the Easter Monday Review has had the effect in former years of giving a stimulus to recruiting. This year, in answer to a letter received from the Committee, the Inspector General of the Auxiliary Forces stated that he had no objection to the Review being held, and that if the Chairman of the Committee of Commanding Officers would submit the name of the place at which it was proposed to hold it, His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief would give directions for conducting it in such a manner as would be likely to conduce to the same results as those which elicited General Ellice's Report on the last occasion. To that letter no answer was returned, and I only know the decision of the Commanding Officers from having seen the proceedings reported in the public papers.