§ MR. CAUSTON (Southwark, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the statement in the Standard newspaper, of the 10th instant, is well-founded, namely, that the Secretary for War has approved of the allowances given to Artillery Volunteer Corps being extended to the artillery portion of the Honourable Artillery Company; and the issue will be made shortly on account of those members of the horse and field batteries who were returned as efficients on the 31st of last October; whether it is contrary to the provisions of the Volunteer Act to make this grant; and, if so, upon what authority it is made; and whether the Honourable Artillery Company has asked for this allowance?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. E. STANHOPE, Lincolnshire, Horncastle)The allowances given to Artillery Volunteer Corps have been extended to the artillery portion of the Honourable Artillery Company under the special regulations of that regiment, and at the request of its Colonel, who accepts, as regards its artillery portion, as a condition of this grant all the liabilities which fall upon other corps under the Volunteer Act.
§ COLONEL LAURIE (Bath)May I ask whether the Honourable Artillery Company are enrolled in accordance with the provisions of the Volunteer Act, and under what Vote the money will come?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEThey are not enrolled; but they have accepted the full responsibilities of Volunteers, and the money, therefore, w ill be voted under the Volunteer Vote
§ MR. CAUSTONIs there not a clause in the Volunteer Act providing that nothing in this Act shall apply to the Honourable Artillery Company?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEIf the hon. Member wishes I will look further into the matter; but, for my part, I do not see how there can be any objection to extending to the Honourable Artillery 916 Company the advantages enjoyed by other Volunteers if they accept the same-conditions.