§ MR. JOHN WILSON (Falkirk Burghs)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if it is under consideration or arranged that 1,500 or 1,800 men of the Lanarkshire Militia are 907 to be taken to Aldershot for a course of three to four weeks' training there instead of at Lanark as at present, a course involving an additional expenditure of probably £3,000; and if he will reconsider the proposal, seeing that it would involve a great loss to the town?
§ MR. BRODRICKTwo of the Lanarkshire Militia battalions will be trained this year at Aldershot, as they form part of a Militia Brigade which, for military reasons, it is proposed to train together. I may, perhaps, remind the hon. Member that, with every desire to consult local interests, the military efficiency of a corps must be the paramount consideration in deciding where its training shall take place.
§ MR. J. WILSON (Falkirk)May I ask if the hon. Gentleman will exchange an English for a Scottish Regiment, in order that they may get the benefit of the fresh air of Lanark moor? [Laughter.]
§ MR. BRODRICKIt is not a question of giving the militiamen fresh air, but of military efficiency. ["Hear, hear."]