§ MR. GERARD NOELasked the Secretary of State for War, If he can inform the House whether any arrangements have been made for the proposed Volunteer Review, and, if any decision has been arrived at as to the locality where it is to be held?
§ MR. CHILDERSIn reply to my right hon. Friend, I have to inform him that I lately received an application from a Committee of Metropolitan Colonels of Volunteers requesting that a Royal Review of the Volunteers might be held this year either in Hyde Park, or in such other locality as might be approved by the authorities, to celebrate the 21st year of the existence of the Volunteer Service. The Commander-in-Chief and I were most anxious to meet the views of the Volunteers, to which Force we attach the greatest value, and should encourage in every way in our power. This application was accordingly referred to the Home Office, and then to the Office of Works, as having charge of the Parks, and a general statement of the objections of those Departments to the use of Hyde Park was sent to the Metropolitan Colonels on the 2nd in- 1458 stant, with a request that they would favour Her Majesty's Government with any remarks that they might wish to offer. After carefully considering these observations, and the Reports of the two Departments, Her Majesty's Government decided that it was not expedient to hold the Review in Hyde Park. I have, therefore, to-day written to the Committee of commanding officers, informing them of this decision, and requesting them, as indicated in their original application, to suggest some other available locality. If my right hon. Friend wishes, the Correspondence shall be laid on the Table immediately.
§ LORD ELCHOasked the right hon. Member for Rutlandshire, Whether he intended to move for the Correspondence as to Hyde Park?
§ MR. GERARD NOELsaid, he had no such intention.
§ MR. CHILDERSI may say at once that I will lay the Correspondence on the Table.