67. Colonel ALAN SYKESasked the Under-Secretary for War whether officers commanding Volunteer regiments should offer the services of those of their officers and men who wish to volunteer for guard or other duties in their own regimental area to the colonel commanding the regimental district in which the area of such Volunteer regiment is situated, or, if not to him, to whom should they make these offers of services?
§ Mr. TENNANTSuch offers of service should be made to General Officers Commanding-in-Chief.
68. Colonel A. SYKESasked the Under secretary for War whether he is aware that Volunteers who are badged munition workers are in doubt as to whether they ought to enrol under the Volunteer Act, 1863, as doing so might render them liable to be called away from their munition work in case of mobilisation of the Volunteers; and will he there fore see if arrangements can be made so that Volunteers who are also badged munition workers will not be called up in case of mobilisation if their services are required on their munition work?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe hon. and gallant. Gentleman may be assured that munition workers who are enrolled under the Volunteer Act, 1863, will be allowed to continue their services as munition workers unless some emergency should arise which would require their services elsewhere.
Colonel SYKESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that some very large munition works are prohibiting their men enrolling because they are afraid they will be called up if the Volunteers are mobilised and will be unable to continue their munition work, and can the War Office issue some regulation which will satisfy them?
§ Mr. TENNANTI will consult with the Minister of Munitions and see if we cannot arrive at some arrangement.
§ 69. Colonel YATEasked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that railway companies are refusing permission to their employés to enrol in the Volunteer forces of the United Kingdom; and whether, seeing that a large number of railwaymen are already in the Volunteer Corps and are desirous to be enrolled under the provisions of the Volunteer Act of 1863, so as to be able, if necessary, to fight in defence of their country, he will see if arrangements can be made so that railwaymen will not be called up in case of mobilisation if their services are required on the railways?
§ Mr. TENNANTThis matter is under consideration between the War Office and the Railway Executive Committee, but the hon. and gallant Gentleman may be assured that in any case railwaymen will not be taken away from the railways in case of emergency.