§ Lord C. BERESFORDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, during the late manœuvres, any retired officers were called upon to serve in the Fleet, either by order or voluntarily; whether any of them presented bills for payment of uniform; if so, how many; and, if so, whether 1045W the Admiralty declined to pay for their uniforms, stating that these officers were only called upon for manœuvres and not for war or an emergency?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Some of these officers having availed themselves of the exceptional terms of retirement offered in 1909 were under an obligation to place their services at the disposal of the Admiralty if called upon to do so. These officers were reminded of their obligation. No officers have presented bills for payment of expenses of uniform, but five have claimed payment of an outfit allowance and their applications are at present under consideration.