§ Mr. BARRIE (Londonderry, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War when will the decision of the War Office be made known regarding the case of the officers of the Submarine Miners (Militia) Royal Engineers, it now being nearly twelve months since the War Office called for a list of those desirous of being retained; and whether these officers were not permitted to attend courses of instruction or to be trained in any way during 1907, although a sum of £1,000 was voted for their training (Appendix 5, page 179, of the Army Estimates for 1907–8).
§ MR. HALDANEA Royal Warrant will shortly be issued dealing with Special Reserve officers. Suitable officers of the Submarine Miners (Militia) Royal Engineers will be asked to join the Special Reserve of officers. As regards training in 1907, it must be remembered that the whole question of the organisation of the reserve of officers was under consideration, and it was held that pending a decision on the main question it was undesirable to tram these particular officers who were no longer required for submarine mining.