§ MR. SETON-KARR (St. Helen's)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for 602 War whether ho is aware that noncommissioned officers of the Regular Forces acting as instructors to Volunteer corps have been denied by Railway Companies the privileges of Army Orders 396 of December, 1890, and 124 of June, 1891, whereby soldiers going on leave (and their wives and children) are allowed return tickets at single third-class fare on producing a certificate signed by their Commanding Officer; and whether such non-commissioned officers, as soldiers serving on their Army engagements, are entitled to the aforesaid privileges; if so entitled, whether he will take stops to have such privileges secured; and, if not so entitled, whether he will state on what grounds such privileges are denied to the soldiers mentioned?
§ *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe privilege of cheap tickets to soldiers going on furlough is not a right that can be claimed, but a concession on the part of the Railway Companies, who, after careful consideration, have found themselves unable to extend this privilege to non-commissioned officers of the Regular Army serving as Volunteer instructors. The ease of these non-commissioned officers has been fully represented to the Railway Companies, and, in the circumstances of the case, it is not proposed to press the matter further.
§ MR. SETON-KARRBut will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the Railway Companies to get this privilege extended to these men?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANSuch influence as the Secretary of State can exert has been exercised, and with no effect.