§ 46. Mr. GILBERTasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that public appeals for funds are being made in order to provide local Volunteer Corps with uniforms and rifles; and, seeing that the War Office has now taken over the control of Volunteers, whether he will consider the possibility of providing all the men who join such corps with the necessary military equipment free?
§ Mr. FORSTERIt is known that such appeals are being made, and Volunteer Corps, designed as they are for Home and local defence, seem not inappropiate objects for assistance by local effort. The whole question of Government assistance 17 to Volunteers is under consideration, and I hope to be in a position to make a statement on this subject very shortly.
§ Mr. O'GRADYWill the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the fact that large numbers of uniforms are now sold to contractors, and that the Volunteers have to buy these back from the contractors at a profit? That being so, would it not be wise on the part of the War Office to allow Volunteer Corps to have the use of this equipment and clothing now being sold to the contractors?
§ Mr. FORSTERAll these things are being considered.