§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, considering the increase of Metropolitan pauperism and dearth of employment, it would be possible to relieve the labour market and assist recruiting by calling out for training, during the winter months, Militia battalions belonging to the Metropolis and other large congested districts?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN, Stirling, &c.)There are several reasons why it is impracticable to train the Militia in the Winter. The days are so short and the weather so uncertain that drill and musketry instruction cannot be carried out properly. The temperature does not allow of encamping, and there is not sufficient barrack accommodation. The money voted for training has been spent, and without a Supplementary Vote there would be none for a second training in the same financial year.