LORD HENRY LENNOXasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether it is true that, at the last Volunteer Review which took place at Portsmouth, in 1882, the Royal Naval Artillery Volunteers were refused permission to assist in manning Her Majesty's gunboats, 460 which were ordered to take part in that sham fight; and, whether a similar request, recently made by the Royal Naval Artillery Volunteers with regard to the forthcoming Review at Portsmouth, has been refused; and, if so, if he will explain the reason?
§ MR. CAMPBELL -BANNERMANSir, in anticipation of the Volunteer Review in 1882, the London Brigade of the Naval Artillery Volunteers applied to be allowed to take part in any naval evolutions that might be carried out in conjunction with the Land Forces; but they were informed that it was not intended that there should be any naval evolutions. Subsequently, on the eve of the Review, the War Office asked for the assistance of the Navy, which was granted to a limited extent. The Royal Naval Artillery Volunteers have again this year made a request to be employed; but we have received no intimation from the War Office that the Navy will be invited to co-operate in the Review.