§ 30. Mr. MOUNTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he proposes to make use of the Volunteer Training Corps for any service abroad?
§ 35. Mr. MILLARasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is now intended to utilise the services of members of the various Home defence and Volunteer Corps either for Home service or for special service abroad; and, if so, whether he can state the nature of the duties which will be allotted to them and the conditions attached to their service?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant)My Noble Friend the Secretary of State has under his consideration a proposal to employ a small number from the Volunteer Training Corps on engineering work in France, but a decision on the matter has not yet been arrived at.
§ 36. Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a member of a Volunteer Training Corps who visited a theatre in London one day last month was ordered to leave by a military officer acting under the orders or with the approval of the Provost-Marshal, and that this volunteer had been on duty that day till 8 p.m.; whether, seeing that the War Office recognises the brassard, but not the uniform, valid objection under the regulations exists to the wearing of the latter in a public place while the wearer is not on duty; and whether, in any case, the action taken on this occasion received the sanction of the military authorities?
§ Mr. TENNANTI have seen reports of this matter in the Press and have no reason to doubt their accuracy. The action of this member of the Volunteer Training Corps would appear to be in contravention of the express conditions under which War Office recognition was granted. I understand the Central Association Volunteer Training Corps have themselves issued instructions to prevent a recurrence of these incidents, and the Provost-Marshal was merely assisting in endeavouring to see that their instructions were carried out.