§ MR. SPEAR (Devonshire, Tavistock)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that when recruiting was in progress for the Cornwall and Devon Miners Royal Garrison Artillery Militia and for the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers Militia, the recruits were given to understand that the period of training would be for forty-one and fifty-six days repectively, and that it was only after the statutory notice had been issued, and the recruits had been enlisted for the full period, that orders were given for curtailment of the training to twenty-seven and forty-one days respectively; and whether, in the interests of recruiting, he will take steps to prevent such alterations of the arrangements in future.
§ MR. BROMLEY DAVENPORTAs regards the Cornwall and Devon Miners R.G.A., Militia, it must be remembered that garrison artillery units train, in accordance with Militia Regulations, every third year for forty-one days, and in other years for twenty-seven days only. This unit was exceptionally allowed to train for forty-one days in 1903 and 1904, but in view of other and more pressing requirements no provision was made for such extended training during 1905. As regards the Royal Monmouth R.E. Militia, the period of training for the Field Company during the present year will be fifty-five days, and for the Fortress. Company forty-eight days.