HC Deb 24 July 1902 vol 111 cc1151-2
MR. LEES KNOWLES (Salford, W.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether a trained volunteer is efficient for the year who does not attend camp but performs sixteen drills and musketry; whether a volunteer recruit can become efficient who enlists before camp, but cannot attend one, and performs forty-six recruit drills and musketry; and whether a volunteer recruit can become efficient who enlists after camp and performs forty recruit drills and musketry.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, Guildford

A trained volunteer who does ten drills, but does not attend camp, can be returned as efficient for this year, and draw the full grant of thirty-five shillings: if his whole corps is exempted from camp, he must attend sixteen drills. As regards the rest of the Question, a recruit can become efficient any year by doing forty drills and musketry: if, however, his whole corps is exempted from camp, he must do forty-six drills.

MR. LEES KNOWLES

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration that there is no provision in the new regulation for recruits who cannot attend camp.

MR. BRODRICK

I am afraid I cannot make any further concession. The arrangements for this year are, I think, complete.