§ Mr. WILLIAM ABRAHAM (Dublin Harbour)asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state how long the men of the Army Reserve (Special) are obliged to serve each year and what rate of pay they receive; also if he will state how long the men of the ordinary Reserve serve each year, whether or no their service is compulsory, and what rate of pay they receive during service?
§ Colonel SEELYMen of the Special Reserve are required to perform twenty-seven days annual training. Men of the Regular Reserve train according to instructions laid down annually, and such training is compulsory in those years of their services specified in the instructions. The instructions for 1911 were issued with the January Army Orders. The normal length of their training consists of the performance of two musketry drills and of firing in one day a course of target practice of twenty-five rounds of ball ammunition. They are liable under the Reserve Forces Act, 1882, to twelve days' training or twenty drills annually if required.
During training all Reservists receive pay at the rates laid down for their rank and arm of the Service in the Royal Warrant for Pay, etc. Regular Reservists attending drills are paid 4d. per drill, under Article 1203, Royal Warrant for Pay. In addition Regular Reservists receive Reserve pay throughout the year, as provided in the Pay Warrant, and Special Reservists receive training and non-training bounties, as provided in the Special Reserve Regulations.