§ SIR W. WEDDERBURNI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War what sum Gunners H. Watson and T. Downie, of the 1st Banff Volunteer Artillery, must pay before they can obtain their discharge applied for on 29th January last; and, if they do not pay, whether it is the intention of the War Office to retain them as Volunteers against their will for an indefinite time?
MR. POWELL WILLIAMSThe officer commanding the 1st Banff Volunteer Artillery has dismissed Gunners Watson and Downie for absence without leave from the annual inspection. If the fines due from them, to cover the loss to the Corps occasioned by the non-efficiency, be not paid by the 1st December, proceedings will be taken to recover them before a court of summary jurisdiction in accordance with the corps rules made under the Volunteer Acts.
§ SIR W. WEDDERBURNArising out of the answer, may I ask the right honourable Gentleman whether he is aware that those two gunners hold certificates of proficiency, and are willing to serve in a rifle company?