HC Deb 27 January 1902 vol 101 cc956-7
SIR HOWARD VINCENT

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he proposes to take any steps with regard to the representations made as to the effect of the new Volunteer Regulations on various corps.

MR. BRODRICK

Representations have been made to me that the new Volunteer Regulations will act unequally in various corps, and I am accordingly asking some commanding officers representing different classes of corps to serve on a committee which will be presided over by Lord Raglan, to examine any representations they may receive as to the difficulty of carrying out the new Volunteer Regulations in different localities, and to make recommendations. The following Volunteer Officers have consented to serve on the Committee:—

  • Col. Ernest Villiers, 1st Surrey V.R.C.
  • Col. R. Williams, M.P., 1st V.B., Dorset Regiment.
  • Col. Haworth, 3rd V.B., Lancashire Fusiliers.
  • Col. Sir R. Moncrieffe, 4th V.B., Black Watch.
  • Col. Allen, 4th West Riding Yorks Regiment.
And
  • Lord Stanley,
  • The Adjutant General, and
  • General Turner, will also serve, with
  • Major Fremantle, 1st Berks, as Hon. Sec.

CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W)

I presume we may gather from the right hon. Gentleman's statement that his scheme, as far as the Volunteers are concerned, has completely broken down?

MR. BRODRICK

No; the hon. Member would be entirely in error in assuming anything of the kind.

* MR. ROBERT SPENCER (Northamptonshire, Mid.)

Will there be any modification in the scheme?

MR. BRODRICK

The object of appointing the Committee is that they should consider whether in any particular point, in any particular locality, any modification is needed. Any representa- tion they may make will be carefully considered.