*SIR CHARLES DILKE () Gloucestershire, Forest of DeanI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet considered the draft reply, drawn up by the States' Special Committee, to the Privy Council letter of the 12th May, addressed on the advice of the War Office to the Bailiff of Jersey, and unanimously adopted by the States at their meeting on Monday last; whether it has been the policy of the War Office throughout the correspondence that the allotment of 2,000 regulars to form in time of war the nucleus of the land force required for the defence of the Channel Islands is only made on the understanding that Jersey as well as Guernsey should provide an effective force of Militia; what steps he proposes to take in view of the reply of the States of Jersey; and whether the Question of 1211 the possible superiority of local naval defence for Jersey over defence by regular land forces has been considered; and, if so, by whom.
§ MR. BRODRICKNo representation from the States of Jersey has as yet reached the War Office, so that I am not in a position to make any statement. I think the Hon. Baronet will agree with me that it is not expedient in the interests of national defence to discuss the other points raised in the question through the medium of question and answer in this House, but all these questions are being carefully considered, and the assumption that an effective force of Militia, must be organised, if the regular force now in the island is to be maintained, is correct.
*SIR CHARLES DILKEHas not the right hon. Gentleman had a copy of the draft answer of the States of Jersey—a very long document, printed about four months ago?