§ SIR JOHN WILLOX (Liverpool, Everton)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can explain why the War Department, having accepted the services of a Liverpool Company of Scotch Volunteers for duty in South Africa, have since revoked this acceptance, and upon what grounds; and, seeing that some of the men gave up their civil employment after their services had been accepted by the Government, and that loss and inconvenience will be suffered by them, whether arrangements will be made either to enable them to proceed to South Africa as originally settled, or to compensate the corps for the loss which the change of decision has caused.
§ MR. BRODRICKI am afraid my hon. friend has been misinformed. The attesting officer found that owing to the corps being of so recent origin it was impossible for the men to fulfil the terms of efficiency required, and before attesting them he referred the matter for sanction to be given. This sanction was telegraphed from the War Office yesterday, immediately on receipt of the application. I understand, however, that the offer of the section for service has now been withdrawn.