§ 32 and 33. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether, in view of the anxiety felt on the subject, he can make a further statement with regard to the position of Volunteer officers and state definitely what is the position of men who have served in the Volunteer regiments who are now over forty-five years of age and under fifty-one; will these men have an opportunity of being sent to Cadet Battalions or will they have to join up as privates, or will they not be called up at all; (2) whether he can say that the limited age of forty-five at which Volunteer officers are to be sent to Cadet 2128 Battalions means forty-five at the time they receive a calling-up notice or forty-five when they are actually called up for service; and what is the position of a man who is just upon forty-five when he receives his calling-up notice and just over forty-five when actually called up?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY Of STATE for WAR (Mr. Macpherson)The age limit of forty-five years, mentioned in my reply on Wednesday last, was only taken provisionally, and the question of the older men will receive further consideration. Any Volunteer officers actually called up will, of course, be eligible for the special course of instruction irrespective of the precise date of their birthday. Non-commissioned officers and men of the Volunteer Force will be treated as all other civilians, and will, on being recommended, be admitted for training for commissioned rank according to the demand for officers.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEAre we to understand that the military training of a Volunteer officer counts for nothing?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo; I think it counts for a great deal, because, if there are vacancies, they are sent directly to a Cadet Battalion.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThey go to an Officers' Training Corps—either the Inns of Court or the Artists' Rifles.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEDid not the hon. Gentleman say that they might or might not be selected, and what becomes of those who are not selected?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI said that any Volunteer officer called up will be eligible for the special course of instruction irrespective of the precise date of his birthday.