HC Deb 31 July 1894 vol 27 cc1393-4
COLONEL MURRAY (Bath)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether facilities exist at any Regimental Districts, or in any garrisons or regimental headquarters at Home or Abroad, to enable soldiers to learn, or keep up any previous knowledge of a trade; and, if so, how the system has been found to work, where tried?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. CAMPBELL - BANNERMAN,, &c.) Stirling

In every corps and in all situations where it is practicable, the Commanding Officer is required by Regulations to establish workshops for the employment and instruction of soldiers in various trades and handicrafts. Difficulties frequently arise through a deficiency of men of the various trades and from other causes; and the large number of recruits in a battalion, in consequence of short service, necessarily militates against any large extension of the system, but where it can be carried out, the result is considered generally satisfactory.