SIR HOWARD VINCENTI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that there is still diversity of practice in Government departments as to the leave to be granted to attend the Volunteer camps now insisted upon by the War Office; and if he will consider the advisability of reissuing a memorandum to the heads of all departments emphasising the view of His Majesty's Government in this particular, and requiring that every effort should be made to give effect to them.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN,) Worcestershire, E.No, Sir, I am not aware of any diversity of practice in this matter among Government Departments. I shall be happy to show my hon. and gallant friend a copy of the circular issued to the different Departments by the Treasury, which goes as far as it is within the province of the Treasury to go in such matters. The granting of leave must, of course, always be subject to the discretion of the heads of Departments who are responsible for seeing that the work of those Departments is properly provided for.
SIR HOWARD VINCENTDo the heads of the Department understand that the Government desire the men to have leave for these camps?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI have no reason to doubt they are aware that the Government desires, subject to the necessity for the work of the office to be carried on with efficiency, that facilities should as far as possible be given for attendance at these camps.