HC Deb 04 August 1887 vol 318 c1129
MR. HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)

asked the Secretary of State for War, If he can state why men of the Army Reserve are not permitted to keep up their military training by joining as supernumeraries a regiment of Volunteers, in which their presence might also be advantageous to the Public Service?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOUSE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)

The reason, Sir, is mainly a financial one. One of the best moans by which men of the First Class Army Reserve might be assisted in keeping up their military training would be to allow them to join Volunteer corps as supernumeraries. But if any large number of thorn do so, and become entitled, on certain conditions, to draw a capitation grant of 35s., the cost to the State would be very considerable. I fully recognize, however, the importance of the subject, and I will undertake to look very carefully into it.