HC Deb 13 April 1891 vol 352 c356
MR. SINCLAIR (Falkirk, &c.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether complaints have reached him that the allowance now granted in aid of the expenses of travelling for attendance at inspection and battalion drills of Volunteer Regiments whose companies are widely apart is quite inadequate to defray the actual cost of travelling to united drills for the purpose of efficiency before inspection; and whether, under the circumstances, he is prepared to recommend the payment of a larger allowance to Volunteer Regiments so situated; and as it is understood that country regiments are encouraged and expected to join brigade camps, and by doing so are debarred from receiving allowances for travelling to inspection and battalion drills, will he consider the case of those regiments which are willing to join experimentally a brigade camp, but before it takes place will have incurred the expenses for the year of travelling inspection and battalion drills?

MR. E. STANHOPE

A change in the system of travelling allowance to Volunteers for attendance at united drills has been made, which is to the advantage of corps widely distributed, though those whose companies are only just outside the five mile radius may possibly receive less. It is not contemplated that country regiments which receive camp allowance for attending brigade camps should also earn the allowance for attending united drills, as all the instruction obtainable at the latter would be included in that given at the brigade camp. Provision is, however, made in certain cases for men who are unable to accompany their corps into brigade camp.