§ SIR EDWARD HILL (Bristol, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, when he asserted that the capitation allowances to the Volunteers were a payment in advance based upon a Return of the previous year, he was aware that in two War Office letters, V. General, No. 7,205, dated the 3rd and 13th February, 1890, the contrary had been definitely stated; and whether, in view of this fact, and its great importance to the Volunteer Service, he will reconsider his decision?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY OF THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. W. WOODALL, Hanley)My reply of February 25 was strictly accurate, and there can be no doubt that when, the first Capitation Grant was issued in 1863 it was issued as an advance for that year, though the amount was based, as recommended by the Royal Commission, on the experience of 1862, a year in which no such Government grant existed. The expressions in the War Office letters referred to merely meant that the grants to be issued were based upon the Returns of the previous year. We are not prepared for the very large double charge in one year which a change in the existing system would involve.
§ SIR E. HILLWill the hon. Gentleman kindly say whether his answer means that a newly-raised Volunteer corps is not entitled to a Capitation Grant in respect of its first year's service?
§ MR. WOODALLNo, Sir; but the newly-raised Volunteer corps would be expected to meet all its own expenses out of its own funds for the first year.