§ Mr. BROOKFIELDI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, with reference to the proposed mobilisation of a portion of the Home Army, he has considered the expediency of introducing a short Act giving the authorities the necessary powers for calling out the requisite number of men from the Army Reserve; whether, if these men are merely invited to come out, he has any reason to suppose that the best men will see any sufficient inducement to respond to the call; and what steps, if any, will be taken to ascertain the attitude likely to be taken by civilian employers of Army Reserve men with respect to the proposed experiment.
§ Mr. CAMPBELL BANNERMANNo Act is required for the purpose indicated, as under the Reserve Forces Act of 1882 the Government has already power to call out men of the Army Reserve for 12 days' training. It is probable that in case of an invitation to the men to come up voluntarily, those would most readily respond who are out of work; and these would not be the best class. The question of the steps which can most prudently be taken for this partial mobilisation is now being considered.