MR. BRYN ROBERTS (Carnarvonshire, Eifion)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that Militia battalions which sent out their Reservists (numbering in many cases over 200) to the war in South Africa are not permitted to bear upon their colours the words "South Africa" with the dates of service unless the whole regiment went out, whereas Volunteer battalions, which sent out less than half the number of men, are the recipients of full honours as if the whole corps went out, he can explain why the one service is treated differently to the other in this respect; and whether this difference of treatment will be rectified by conferring 41 upon the Militia battalions the same privileges as have been accorded to the Volunteers.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold-Forster.) The difference in treatment with regard to inscriptions upon the colours is due to the fact that the Militia Reservists referred to were under an obligation to serve, if necessary, out of the United Kingdom, and received a retaining fee accordingly, and that, therefore, they were in an entirely different category from those forces who served voluntarily in South Africa.