§ MR. MILDMAY (Devon, Totnes)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the large number of Militiamen who, when proceeding to their headquarters for their annual training, enter the workhouses on their way as casual paupers, thus becoming a charge on the local rates; and whether he will consider the expediency of giving passes to travel by train to each Militiaman so as to prevent this state of things?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN, Stirling, &c.)The only complaints received as to Militiamen receiving relief as casuals have come from St. Ives and Totnes. The Report obtained as to the former case seems to show that the Guardians were misinformed by the men obtaining relief, as only a small number eventually enlisted. As regards Totnes, the number involved was even smaller, and the regiments not having been stated identification has been impossible. Of course, when a man has only an intention to enlist he is not yet a Militiaman, and must be treated as any other destitute person. With regard to the second paragraph of this question, I would say that, under Militia Regulations, a man who is actually in the Militia, if he has not the means of joining headquarters can, on his application, have a railway or passage-warrant forwarded to him, and on the dismissal of the regiment a pass to his home is given to him.