§ Mr. HUNTasked the Secretary of State for War whether Major H. Knowles, of Gloucester, has been allowed to organise 200 old soldiers and volunteers and procure for them the free use of rifles, ammunition, and a drill hall in order to form a Volunteer Reserve; and, if so, whether other retired officers may do the same in other counties?
§ Mr. HALDANE:I have no official information concerning this matter. A communication has been addressed to the County Association of Gloucestershire asking for information on the subject, and pointing out that the raising of such a force without the authority of the Crown is illegal. There is no intention of permitting rifle clubs to drill as an armed force; to admit any such procedure would be disastrous to all schemes of organisation.