§ MR. PIRIE (Aberdeen, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, with reference to the position of officers of the reserve of officers who were called out to serve with Reserve regiments in June last, whether some of such officers were informed that on the Reserve regiments being broken up and Provisional regiments formed in their places their services would no longer be required, and that this would come into force on the 7th of March, but that instead of this-taking place, some of these officers have now been required to continue their service with the Provisional regiment and others with Regular regiments; and whether such action is in keeping with the promises made to these officers and with statements made in this House as to-the intentions of the War Office, and what is intended to be done as to retaining these officers.
LORD STANLEYThe General Officer commanding a district in Ireland allowed certain officers of the Reserve to go on leave pending their release from service. Circumstances have, however, rendered, it impossible to spare these officers, and it has been found necessary to recall them. No promises have been made from headquarters to these officers, but there is every intention to allow them to return to civil life as soon as the emergency will permit.