§ SIR JOSEPH BAILEYasked the Secretary of State for War, What has been the annual cost of the schools for the 1648 instruction of militiamen during preliminary drill and training; whether the instruction therein given has not proved of great advantage to men availing themselves of it; and, whether, if that is the case, he would reconsider the Clause in Army Circulars of February 1881, by which these schools have been abolished?
§ MR CHILDERSIn reply to the hon. Baronet, I have to state that so far from schools for Militiamen during their training proving of great advantage, I am satisfied that they are entirely useless now that the Education Act is in fall operation. It is difficult to estimate exactly their expense, perhaps a few hundred pounds; but they were not discontinued for financial reasons.