§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSON (Manchester, N.E.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, whether it is intended to increase the number of battalions of infantry on the Establishment so as to provide reliefs for those serving abroad; or if the Reserve Bill, which has been introduced into the House of Lords, is the only step which will be proposed in view of the present deficiency of reliefs.
§ * THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordSince my right hon. Friend put his question on the Paper the Secretary of State has fully explained the objects with which the Reserve Forces Act Amendment Bill has been introduced. The Bill does not touch the question of reliefs; its sole purpose is to legalise the employment of a certain number of Army Reserve men in minor wars for which they cannot now be called out. With regard to the earlier part of the right hon. Member's Question, I cannot do better than refer him to the Secretary of State's statement in the House of Lords on the 21st ult. The question is engaging the earnest attention of the War Office.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Belfast, W.)asked whether it was intended to 407 proceed with the Reserve Forces Bill this Session, and, if so, whether an opportunity of discussing it would be given?
§ * MR. BRODRICKsaid it was his earnest desire that every Bill introduced by the War Department should be discussed and passed into law this Session, but his hon. Friend was aware that there were considerable difficulties in the way.