HC Deb 06 May 1897 vol 48 c1614
MR. F. B. MILDMAY (Devon, Totnes)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he can inform the House how many men it was necessary to transfer from the 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (home coming from India) to the 1st Battalion of the same regiment, now stationed in Crete, in order that the latter battalion might be made up to proper strength for foreign service?

MR. BRODRICK

The relief of the Seaforth Highlanders was carried out in complete accordance with the system of linked battalions. The one linked battalion relieved the other. The battalion coming home left 500 men for further foreign service; these the battalion going abroad took over, leaving at home about 250 men, mostly below the age for foreign service, to complete the home-coming battalion on its arrival. When, therefore, the 1st Battalion was ordered to Crete it was not necessary to transfer any men to it. The battalion was already at full strength of men in the best condition as to age and service.

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