§ Sir JOHN LONSDALEasked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the present strength of the Volunteer Force in Great Britain and what changes it is proposed to make in the organisation of this force; and whether, with the view of releasing as large a number of men as 508W possible to supply the needs of our Armies overseas, he will consider the desirability of requiring every man up to the age of fifty-five, in a reasonably fit state of health, to join a Volunteer Corps, including all men who are exempted for the time being from service with the Colours?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe present strength of the Volunteers is in the neighbourhood of a quarter of a million. I have been for some time of the opinion that fuller use could be made of the services of this admirable body in the scheme of national defence. Under a Bill to be introduced to-day in another place, Volunteers will be invited to enter into agreements to serve until the end of the War and to perform a certain programme of drill. Men of at least the medical standard of C 1—garrison service at home—will be eligible for this special section of the Volunteer Force.