§ MR. STEWART MACLIVERasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty, If he can explain the reason why an application from Plymouth, made in September last, for a Naval Artillery Volunteer Corps to be enrolled, has only now received a reply, refusing enrolment, while a similar application from Swansea, made some time afterwards, has been granted; and, whether, in future, it is intended to discourage the formation of such auxiliary forces, after the example applied to Plymouth?
§ SIR THOMAS BRASSEYThe Admiralty, while fully appreciating the patriotic offers of service which they have received, have not felt justified in sanctioning the enrolment of a corps of Naval Artillery Volunteers at Plymouth. They do not consider that a force of that nature will be required at a Naval port where a considerable reserve of Marines and Naval Pensioners already exists. The number of Naval Volunteers enrolled at Bristol being comparatively few, it was thought a contingent from the neighbouring port of Swansea would be useful; and the recent visit of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales afforded a good opportunity for raising a battery.