§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he can state the establishment and actual strength of the line battalion quartered at Warley, Essex, exclusive of reservists; how many men under 20; and how many men who have not completed the musketry course; and whether this battalion is included in the first or second army corps and will go on foreign service next year?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. ST. JOHN BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordThe battalion at Warley is the 1st battalion of the Essex Regiment. Including its depôt, its establishment of non-commissioned officers and men is 838. The draft for the foreign battalion left early this month, and left the 1st battalion with its depôt at a strength of 685. Of these 292 are under 20 years of age, amongst whom 139 have not completed their musketry course. The battalion is in the second Army Corps. It will probably relieve its foreign battalion in 1899–1900.