HC Deb 04 March 1902 vol 104 cc393-4

In the programme of this year I propose to establish a Volunteer Reserve. We have this mass of men going by the colours every year. Some of them cannot continue. Either they marry or they are too busy, and cannot continue to make themselves efficient year by year. I hope commanding officers will receive in a sympathetic spirit what I propose. We propose that any man with not less than four years training in the Volunteers shall be allowed to go into the Reserve for six years, provided that lie will shoot at the range once in two years. We believe that a very large number of men would be willing to put their names down and come out on an emergency who cannot attend a yearly drill. We propose to take the same steps in regard to the Yeomanry.

MR. SEELY (Lincoln)

Will these men have rifles and be actually available, or will they be simply Reservists?

* MR. BRODRICK

I do not want to bind myself too closely, because in this, as in what I am now going to tell the House, I propose to confer with commanding officers in the first instance before issuing any orders on the subject.