§ MR. BEITH (Inverness, &c.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that in many corps (especially Artillery) of Volunteers the capitation grant and other allowances fall far short of their expenditure necessary to maintain their efficiency; that to meet the extra expenditure for the erection and maintenance of drill-halls, batteries, and ranges, &c., the officers, in addition to supplying their own uniform, subscribing to prize funds, and other inducements for keeping up the strength of the corps, have undertaken heavy pecuniary liabilities, and that the obligations thus incurred prevent the filling up of vacant commissions; and whether the cost and maintenance of the necessary buildings will in future be borne by the War Department?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN,) Stirling &c.The expenditure of Volunteer corps was carefully investigated in 1887, and the Report of the Committee on the subject was presented to Parliament. As a result, the grants to corps have been materially increased. I am, however, prepared to consider special cases where increased expenditure has followed changes of organization. I am now inquiring in to the expenses of field batteries.