MR. GORST (for Earl PERCY)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to extend the training of certain Militia regiments to a period of fifty-six days this year; whether he is aware that in some regiments at present 1971 assembled for training the recruits have been already three months with the colours; and, whether, under the circumstances, he would consider the propriety of granting separation allowance to the wives and families of the volunteer non-commissioned officers and privates in the event of the period of training being extended?
§ MR. CHILDERSIn reply to the noble Earl, I have to say that separation allowances have never been given to the families of Militia men, and I am not disposed to establish a precedent which would be open to grave objections. I certainly could not recognize the fact of recruits being out for more than three months as any reason for this grant, inasmuch as Militia recruits are rarely, if ever, married. If a Militia battalion is embodied they will be then treated in this respect like the Line.