MR. STANLEYasked the Secretary of State for War, When it is intended to raise the second battalions of Militia regiments referred to in the Army localisation scheme; whether care will be taken to appoint Commanding Officers and Adjutants to the new battalions in sufficient time for them to superintend the posting of the officers and men transferred to them; whether the Commanding Officers of the new battalions will have any voice in the selection of the officers and non-commissioned officers of their battalions; and, whether the officers and non-commissioned officers will be appointed at a time sufficiently before the annual training to enable them to become properly organized before their men are attached?
§ MR. CARDWELLSir. It is intended to raise second battalions in those counties in which the state of the recruiting appears to warrant it; and arrangements will be made for doing so in the course of the autumn. Care will be taken to make the appointments with due notice, and at such time and in such manner as may most conduce to efficiency in each case. The commanding officers of the old battalions will be communicated with in respect to the formation of the new, and, generally, the arrangements will be made as far as possible to meet the circumstances of each regiment.