§ MR. BYLES (Salford, N.)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the 754 Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the circular letter to all heads of departments issued from the Government secretary's office of British Guiana under date 6th May, 1908, in which the Governor calls for certain quarterly returns, commencing from 1st July, relating to the attendance of junior officers in the public service of the Colony at drill in connection with the local Militia or Volunteer forces; whether the circular is to be interpreted as calculated to penalise the position of young officers in the service who fail to fulfil the requirements laid down by the Governor to introduce a species of compulsory military service; whether its terms are inconsistent with the Colonial Office Regulations governing appointments in the Crown Colonies, as also with the British Guiana Militia Ordinance of 1891, which makes provision for the recruiting of the ranks of the Militia when the strength falls below the statutory standard; and whether, in the circumstances, instructions will be issued to the Governor of British Guiana to have the circular forthwith cancelled and withdrawn.
§ COLONEL SEELYThe Secretary of State has no information with regard to the circular referred to. but will make inquiry of the Governor.