§ SIR THOMAS DEWAR (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, having regard to the fact that some time since the Admiralty issued invitations to owners of homing pigeons to reserve a certain number of their birds for use in time of war, or on such occasions as they might be required, will he state how many responses have been received; whether any birds have been tried; and, if any, how many, and with what result.
(Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) Admiralty approval was given in May, 1904, for the organising of the homing pigeon fanciers of the United Kingdom into a corps of pigeon owners who would be willing, on the outbreak of war, to devote their birds to the naval service. So far up wards of 2,000 secretaries and members of flying clubs have been communicated with, with the result that some 600 members have been enrolled in the organisation. It was intended to have had a practical test of the system during the manœuvres this summer, but owing to the decision arrived at not to carry out 317 the manœuvres the trial has been postponed.