HC Deb 07 June 1915 vol 72 c75
31. Sir J. D. REES

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can now state the result of his representations to the Secretary of State that the compulsion applied by the Central Association of Volunteer Training Corps is not warranted by the permissive character of Rule 4 of the conditions upon which the War Office recognised such corps; and whether such corps as have provided themselves with uniforms may now be absolved from wearing in addition a substitute for an uniform, which itself is explicitly recognised by the Central Association and inferentially by the War Office?

Mr. TENNANT

I have again considered this matter. If brassards are not worn there is no outward sign that the volunteer as an individual is an affiliated and authorised volunteer. The uniform is not enough, because the Association have no power to prevent people putting themselves into uniform who are not affiliated and who have not agreed to carry out the War Office Regulations.

Sir J. D. REES

Has the right hon. Gentleman represented this matter to the Secretary of State, and will he take it from me that the wearing of this brassard is generally unpopular with the volunteers?

Mr. TENNANT

That is not in accordance with the information which reaches me, which is that the brassards are becoming quite popular.