§ MR. GOURLEYasked the Secretary of State for War, If he will state to the House the exact nature of a County Military Depôt Centre; how many battalions of the line, if any, are intended to be quartered at one time in each Centre; and, if these Depôt Centres are merely for the purpose of training recruits, afterwards to be drafted into the regiments of their respective Counties at such places, either at home or abroad, where they may happen to be stationed?
§ MR. CARDWELLSir, the exact nature of a county military depôt centre is stated fully in the Report of General M'Dougall's Committee, which has been laid upon the Table. Detailed particulars are given in Appendix H. Speaking generally, it is to be the military head-quarters of a brigade district. The brigade will consist of two battalions of the Line, two of Militia, and the Volunteers within the district. The depôt battalion will be localized there, and the permanent Staff of the Militia, and, as far as convenience will admit, that of the Volunteers. The recruits, both for the Line and Militia, will be trained there. The station will be made available, as far as convenience will admit, for the training of the Volunteers. Officers of Militia and Volunteers will obtain instruction there, and the arms of the Militia, and, so far as convenience may admit, of the Volunteers, will be stored there. Of the two other regular battalions of the brigade, one will be abroad and the other quartered in the United Kingdom wherever the public service may require, whether in its own district or elsewhere.