§ COLONEL WARDE (Kent, Medway)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War how many men of the Army Reserve are known to be residing Abroad, and to what branches of the service do they belong; whether such men continue to be reckoned as forming a part of the Reserve immediately available on the outbreak of war; and whether, in the event of Reservists residing in any of the self-governing Colonies failing to rejoin the colours when called upon, the Army Council can enforce their return, or can take any legal steps to that end outside the jurisdiction of the courts of the United Kingdom.
§ MR. HALDANE6,685 men of the Army Reserve are residing abroad. The detailed figures are too long to read out to the House but I will have them printed and circulated with the Votes and Proceedings. These Reservists are considered as available to make good wastage if, owing to the locality of the theatre of war, we may be unable to utilise them immediately on mobilisation. The question of the best method, etc., of recalling to the colours Reservists residing in the Colonies is now being considered in Concert with the Colonial Office, and the Colonial Governments concerned. But it 1400 is understood that the Reserve Forces Acts of 1882 and 1906 taken together give the same powers of arrest and punishment of offenders as are possessed in this country.
§ COLONEL WARDEWill extra time be allowed for these men to return when called upon to do so?
§ MR. HALDANEThey must of course come at once. We are watching this matter very closely.
§ COLONEL WARDEWill the men permitted to go abroad lie allowed travelling expenses when called back to the colours?
§ MR. HALDANEWe have never undertaken to do that.