§ 70. Mr. P. A. HARRISasked the Under Secretary of State for War whether the War Office will consider the possibility of raising battalions recruited entirely from Section A of the Volunteer Force who are prepared to volunteer at once for full-time service, such battalions being provided with officers drawn, as far as possible, horn Volunteer corps; and whether he is aware that a very large number of men in Volunteer corps are anxious to serve together, and will be willing to make considerable sacrifices if some such arrangements can be made?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE for WAR (Mr. Macpherson)I presume my hon. Friend is referring to men in Section A of the Volunteer Force, who are liable for military service owing to the extension of the age limit under the recent Act. My hon. Friend's proposal has been very 1685 carefully considered, but I regret that it is not practicable to organise special battalions for Volunteers, as suggested.
§ 75. General COLVINasked the Undersecretary of State for War whether a decision has been arrived at as to the position of efficient officers of the Volunteer Force between the ages of forty-two and fifty-one; and whether they will be permitted to retain their present position in that force unless required for commissioned service in the Army?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply yesterday to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Devonport.