§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, why Officers of the Volunteer Force are not allowed the privilege of sergeants and privates of training themselves for the Country's service with regiments near which civil duties may call them away from the head quarters of their own corps: and, if, having regard to the deficiency of officers in the Force, the Secretary of State will consider the re-adjustment of this inequality, and at the same time review the conditions under which the refundment of the equipment allowance granted to officers passing school are required from regiments.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (MR. G. WYNDHAM, Dover)Officers are required to perform their drills with their own corps, as it is their duty to instruct and guide the men under their command and for this purpose a personal knowledge of them is indispensable. The Secretary of State is not prepared to remit this obligation, nor to relax the conditions upon which the outfit allowance is granted.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTI beg to give notice that at the earliest opportunity I will call attention to the hardship arising from this arrangement.