§ Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYasked the Secretary for War whether he is yet in a position to state what steps the Army Council intend to take to put a stop to 68W the uncertainty and discontent among members of the National Reserve; whether he is aware that in certain units only twelve obsolete rifles, without ammunition, are doled out by the authorities to each 100 men for musketry practice; whether he has sanctioned the present regulations which make it virtually compulsory for National Reserve men to purchase their own ammunition and pay for their own travelling expenses to and from the ranges; whether he is aware that in certain units the officers have at present to bear the whole of the expenses with the exception of the cost of a limited supply of stationery and stamps; if he can give any assurance that the Government intends in the near future to hold out any reasonable inducement to men both to join and remain in the force, especially when first leaving the different branches of the Regular forces; whether, if it is found impracticable at present to give the men a free uniform, permission will be given to all ranks to wear their old uniforms; and whether sailors and soldiers of the Regular Army on leaving will be allowed to take their uniforms away with them for the purpose?
§ Colonel SEELYA scheme is now under consideration for the utilisation in national emergency of the services of those members of the National Reserve who are willing to undertake the liability, and I hope to be able to give full details of the new proposals very shortly.