COLONEL STANLEYasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, in view of the constitutional obligation to call Parliament together in the event of the Militia being embodied, and of the fact that the extended training of the regiments now kept up for duty, will, pro- 1136 bably, in many cases have expired within ten days after Parliament has been prorogued or adjourned, the Government have any intention of taking steps during the present Session to embody the regiments now kept up, or any other regiment?
§ MR. CHILDERSSir, I think it may interest the House that I should, in replying to my right hon. and gallant Friend, state that the offers we have received from Militia battalions, not only seeking to be embodied, but placing themselves at Her Majesty's disposal for active service in Egypt, are quite without precedent. Fifty-two battalions, representing nearly 50,000 men, have expressed a wish to be embodied, and of these, 37, representing nearly 35,000 men, have volunteered for active service; and I may congratulate my right hon. and gallant Friend on his battalion, the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, being the first to offer to go to the front, which they did some days ago. At present, and before the approaching adjournment, we have no intention to advise Her Majesty to embody any Militia battalions; but should it be necessary to do so, the offers we have received are an earnest of the strong feeling in the Militia, and, considering the strength of the Militia and the Reserves, show what a great addition to our military power is at our hand within a few days of Her Majesty's Proclamation.