§ COLONEL WELBYI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he can say approximately how many days it would require, from the date of issuing the orders for mobilisation, to place in the field the First and Second Army Corps, laid down in regulations for mobilisation, complete in men, horses and matériel?
§ MR. BRODRICKThe Secretary of State for War does not consider it expedient that the period required for complete mobilisation should be made public. My honourable and gallant Friend is probably aware that all such questions are kept secret by Continental Powers.
§ COLONEL WELBYI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, with reference to his statement that for a large war our two Army Corps will be complete, whether those Army Corps will, in details, be the same as the First and Second Corps laid down in regulations for mobilisation; and, if not, in what main features of area or organisation they will differ; and whether any Return or Army Order will be issued showing the numbers of men, horses, and guns in each of the units of those corps when mobilised?
§ MR. BRODRICKThe units selected for the two Army Corps for service abroad are not identical with those in the First and Second Army Corps for home defence, but the establishment of units proceeding abroad in the two Army Corps is the same as that laid down in the regulations for mobilisation. No further Army Order will be issued.