HC Deb 12 April 1905 vol 144 c1409
MR. Mc CRAE (Edinburgh, E.)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, having regard to the proposals to reduce the establishment of the Volunteer force by 114,000 men and the actual strength by 45,000 men, he will give an early day for the discussion of the details of the scheme on Vote 5, Army Estimates.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

As the hon. Gentleman knows, we have given an exceptional amount of Parliamentary time to the discussion of these and cognate questions connected with the Army; and I cannot promise that other business shall be put aside in order to extend still further the opportunities that hon. Members have had of giving their opinions on the subject.

MR. Mc CRAE

We have not had the details of the scheme, and as Volunteer commanding officers, from what details have been given to them, think it will seriously injure the force, will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that a reduction shall not be made in the current year?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am afraid I can give no undertaking.