§ COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether any decision has been arrived at as to the conditions under which it is proposed to employ the Royal Naval Artillery Volunteers in connection with harbour, coast, and river defence; and if, having regard to the efforts made by this force to bring themselves to a high state of efficiency, and the sacrifices to that end of the officers and members, every effort will be made to utilise them in connection with some existing corps, without compelling them to abandon the ship and quarters they have fitted for their training at such considerable cost?
§ * THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. E. STANHOPE,) Lincolnshire, HorncastleWhere possible, an offer will be made to the Royal Naval Artillery Volunteers to allow them to join, as complete companies, with their own officers, existing Militia or Volunteer Submarine Mining organisations. The number of companies which can be so accepted is, however, limited; and the details as to them will be notified very shortly. As the Naval Artillery Volunteers who accept this offer will become integral parts of the corps they join, they cannot retain separate headquarters from the rest of the corps; but it may be practicable to retain some of their present quarters as company or detachment headquarters.