§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the feeling expressed in all parts of the House and the country against any reduction in the numbers of the Volunteer force, and against it being financially stinted, he will reconsider his recent proposals and carry out without further delay the unanimous recommendations of the Duke of Norfolk's Commission.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERAs my hon. friend is aware, considerable addi
† See page 449.1262 tional expenditure would be necessary for the purpose of carrying out the recommendations of the Norfolk Commission. I have already informed the House that it is desired to make concessions to the Volunteers greatly in excess of those recommended by the Norfolk Commission, when funds are available for that purpose, but that no sufficient sum will be available until the reduction of the force has taken place.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered my last Question, whether he will reconsider his recent proposal for the reduction of the Volunteer force?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERNo, Sir; it cannot be reconsidered.
§ MR. McCRAE (Edinburgh, E.)The right hon. Gentleman has already given an undertaking that there shall be no reduction in the grant to the Volunteers this year. Will he give a similar undertaking with regard to the numbers?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERNo, Sir; that would be impossible.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTHow does the right hon. Gentleman propose to reduce the numbers?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI have already answered that Question twice. I have said that during the current year we hope to reduce the force by enforcing the medical inspection standard more rigidly, and by reducing those units, if there are any, which are clearly not capable of rendering military service.