COLONEL DAWNAYasked the Secretary of State for War, If there is any truth in the report that the three Regiments of Foot Guards are at the present time considerably below their proper establishment; and, if so, what numbers would be required to make up the deficiency?
§ MR. CHILDERSIn reply to the hon. and gallant Member, I have to state that the battalions of the Foot Guards are usually somewhat below their establishment of 744 men, and at the present they are on the average short by about 50 men. This is in a great degree due to the territorial system not being applicable to the Guards, and to the consequent disadvantage in which they stand as compared with the Line Regiments, and partly to their high standard—5 feet 8 inches. The new system of recruiting only came into operation on the 1st of this month, and I have every hope that recruiting in the Guards will shortly improve.