§ COLONEL WYNDIIAM MURRAY (Bath)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Military Authorities have reason to believe that any men of the Army Reserve serve as Militia soldiers in regiments of Militia; and, if so, whether steps can be taken to prevent this practice; and whether he can now state if any system has been yet decided upon for the coming drill season to give some military training to men of the Reserve, without unduly interfering with their employment in civil life?
MR. CAMPBELL-BANKERMANThe Military Authorities have no reason to believe that the practice referred to by the hon. and gallant Member exists to any serious extent. On attestation for the Militia a man has to state whether he has served in the Regular Army; and a false answer, if subsequently dis- 1184 covered, would involve severe punishment. It is proposed this year to train all Infantry reservists who passed to the Reserve after March 31, 1891, and who have not been already trained, in the use of the magazine rifle.
§ MR. BRODRICK (Surrey, Guildford)Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of causing all soldiers in the Army Reserve and Militia to report themselves at some convenient place to themselves on a given day, so that any frauds of this kind may be discovered?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI dare say it would be desirable to do that if possible, and the hon. Gentleman has had ample opportunity of ascertaining the possibility.