§ MR. PAUL (Edinburgh, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether representations have recently been made by a deputation of Volunteer Medical Officers that it is impossible to raise brigade bearer companies, and recommending that companies of the Volunteer Medical Staff Corps be sanctioned instead; and if, in view of these facts, he will further consider the question of sanctioning a Volunteer Medical Staff Corps company for Edinburgh, which can fulfil all the functions of a brigade bearer company and be at once raised.
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI am afraid that I cannot add anything to my reply to my hon. Friend on the 4th instant. The scheme of mobilisation does not admit of more Volunteer Staff Corps companies; but bearer companies are 1496 required, and I do not doubt that Edinburgh and its neighbourhood will in due time produce them.