§ MR. TOMLINSON (Preston)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the new Provisional Infantry Drill Book of 1892 is intended to be put at once into the hands of all Her Majesty's Infantry, including the Auxiliary Forces, as the authorised manual for drill; what is the meaning of the word "Provisional" as attached to the book; and whether it is correctly inferred from the book that in the future establishment of an eight company battalion there shall only be three mounted officers—namely, the Commanding Officer, the Major, and the Adjutant?
§ * MR. E. STANHOPEThe Infantry Drill Book of 1892 has been issued to all Her Majesty's Infantry, and is the only authorised drill book for that arm. It is called "Provisional" because, as it involves a very considerable departure 353 from some of the previously existing ideas respecting drill, it is thought right to let all officers see that there would be no impropriety in their offering observations upon it. The book is written to suit existing establishments. The present mounted establishment for an Infantry battalion of the Line is one Lieutenant Colonel, one Major, and one Adjutant.