§ MR. WEIR (ROSS and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, having regard to the fact that the commanding officer of the 3rd Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Militia) was unable to secure a special steamer for the conveyance of the militiamen from Stornoway on April 3rd, and that the number of notices issued to militiamen in the island of Lewis placed within his knowledge the number of men who would have to travel from Stornoway, will he state why the owners of the Stornoway mail steamers were not communicated with in order that the number of men for whom accommodation could be provided at each sailing might be ascertained; and, seeing that a number of men were unable to secure passage from Stornoway on the date on which they arrived in the town, will arrangements be made for each man to be advised in future of the date of the sailing of the steamer by which he is to travel.
§ MR. HALDANEAs the notices are sent to the addresses given by the men at the previous training, and as many of them are often employed elsewhere, the number issued is no guide to the number likely to travel from Stornoway. The numbers that could be accommodated at each sailing were ascertained from the owners of the mail steamer. As regards the last part of the Question, the method to be adopted in future will be carefully considered by the General Officer Commanding in Chief, Scotland.
§ MR. WEIRIn consequence of the extremely unsatisfactory nature of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, I shall on the earliest possible opportunity call attention to this matter.