§ COLONEL EYRE (Lincolnshire, Gainsborough)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, in come Volunteer Corps, non-commissioned officers and privates are paid when in camp; whether the capitation grant is applicable to such purposes; and, whether some steps will be taken to put a stop to this practice if it is not in accordance with the Volunteer Regulation?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (MR. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)The Returns show, as far as they have been examined, that in some Volunteer corps the men receive pay when in camp. It was not the intention that the capitation grant should be applied to this Service, and it does not follow that it is, as the corps which adopt the practice show generally an expenditure in excess of the grant. There is no regulation to prevent officers supplementing the capitation grant out of their own pockets or by subscriptions. I may add that a special allowance is granted to cover the general expense which Volunteer corps are necessarily subject to in the formation of camps.