§ MR. TOTTENHAMasked the Secretary of State for War, How long the practice has been in vogue in Home garrisons of mounting "mixed" guards, consisting of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, of different corps, on the same guard; and, how far it commands the approval of the Military authorities; if he will also state what are the reasons which have led to the introduction of so novel a system; and, whether it is owing to the inability of some battalions to furnish a sufficient number of effective soldiers fit for duty?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONThere is no such practice in home garrisons generally; but in Dublin, where the guard duties have been for the past three years exceptionally heavy, it has occasionally been found advisable by the 345 military authorities to mount mixed guards. The object has been to equalize guard duties, and to insure all ranks having four nights in bed. The expedient has rarely been resorted to oftener than once a-week, and very seldom without an officer being in command of the guard. There is always at least one non-commissioned officer belonging to the same corps as the men.