§ MR. R. W. HANBURYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what was the extent of the reduction in the number of sentries in London which took place in 1892; at what public buildings, other than barracks, are they still posted; whether the number of night sentries especially was largely reduced, and in what proportion; whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of the Duke of Connaught before the Wantage Committee, that this sentry duty, especially night duty, was injurious to the health, the instruction, and the recruiting of the Army, and that, in consequence of his urgent representations, what he described as the immense number of sentries at Windsor and Buckingham Palace were reduced, in spite of the greatest possible opposition from the Home Office on the ground that the place of the sentries would have to be taken by the police; and, whether he will undertake that Army funds shall be expended on military instead of police duties?
§ *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe number of sentries reduced in 1433 London in 1892 was five by day and six by night. The buildings, other than barracks, where sentries are still posted are Kensington, St. James's, and Buckingham Palaces, Marlborough House, the War Office, the Horse Guards, Whitehall, the Bank of England, the Tower of London, and the Hyde Park Magazine. The night sentries were reduced from 33 to 27. The Report of the Wantage Committee was fully considered; and, as I stated on the 12th instant, the number of sentries was brought as low as was considered right. A reduction of four sentries by day and five by night was made at Windsor for such times as Her Majesty might not be in residence.
§ MR. HANBURYasked whether it was a fact that this reduction took place in face of great opposition from the Home Office?
§ *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANsaid, he had not heard of any such opposition.