§ Sir EDWIN CORNWALLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether a special constable now in a Volunteer Training Corps, who enrols as a Volunteer and afterwards finds that he is unable to fulfil the duties required of him in both capacities consistently with giving proper attention to his business, trade, or profession, will be allowed to resign from one or other of the forces; if so, from which; (2) whether the need for additional special constables or the need for additional members of Volunteer Training Corps is the more urgent in the 348W Metropolitan area; (3) whether in the case of a special constable who attests as a Volunteer it will be the military or the police authorities who will have the first claim on his services; and (4) whether he has considered the possibility of handing over to the Volunteer Training Corps certain of the duties now being performed by special constables, such as the guarding of electric power works, gas works, etc.?
§ Mr. TENNANTI will reply at the same time to questions Nos. 145, 146 and 147. The whole question of the position of special constables and enrolled Volunteers is now being examined comprehensively in the light of the changed conditions brought about by the opening of enrolment under the Volunteer Act of 1863?