§ MR. REESTo ask the Secretary of State for War whether bandmasters in Volunteer regiments have no assured military status; whether bandmasters in the Regular Army rank as warrant officers; and whether, if the Answer in both cases or in the former case be in the affirmative, steps will be taken in the Army Bill or otherwise to improve the condition of the former functionaries.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The reply to the first and second second parts of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the Question, I doubt whether it would be practicable to adopt my hon. friend's suggestion. The mode of life and occupation of a bandmaster in a Volunteer regiment is so different under existing circumstances from that of the bandmaster in a regular regiment, who gives his whole time to the work of that regiment, that it is not easy to see how the status could be assimilated.