§ MR. TOTTENHAMasked the Secretary of State for War, If the following are correct details of "mixed guards" mounted at Aldershot and the Curragh Camp within the past month:—18th, 21st, and 23rd February, Aldershot, 1st Brigade Guard—Officer, Non-Commissioned Officer, and Bugler furnished by 1st or 2nd Brigade; Privates furnished by 3rd Brigade; 5th March, Curragh Camp; Main Guard—Officer, Sergeant, Bugler, one Corporal, and six Privates, Royal Scots Regiment; one Corporal, twelve Privates, Rifle Brigade; whether these are typical instances of what is of every day occurrence at these stations; whether Officers commanding Battalions at Cork, Dover, Aldershot, the Curragh, and elsewhere, have repeatedly protested against the system; and, whether it is intended to prohibit the continuance of such practices in Home garrisons, as being likely to be subversive of discipline, and the efficient training of young soldiers?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, before answering the hon. Member's Question, I should explain, with reference to the answer given on the 3rd of March, that the inquiries then made by the Adjutant General were limited to Portsmouth and Dublin, with the result stated in that answer, and I regret that the information furnished to me was imperfect. From information since received, it appears that the details given in the Question of mixed guards at Aldershot and the Curragh are correct. At present these are typical instances of frequent occurrence at the stations 1351 named. The cause at Aldershot is that a battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers recently embarked for India, being in excess of the Indian Establishment, taking into account the number left in India by the battalion returning home, left behind upwards of 400 duty men, with scarcely any officers or non-commissioned officers. These have, therefore, had to be detailed for duty with other corps in order to equalize the duties and to give all ranks the same number of nights in bed. A similar cause has led to similar results at the Curragh. Protests have only been received from officers commanding three battalions. Although such a practice would not be sanctioned if regiments were equally proportioned in respect of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men available for duty, it is not intended to prohibit the mixing of guards when so doing is, in the opinion of the General Officer commanding, for the good of the Service.