HC Deb 05 May 1899 vol 70 c1426
MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office what is the establishment and what was the strength on parade of the three battalions of Foot Guards in Hyde Park on 1st May, individually, exclusive of the bands; and how many men in each battalion on the ground had less than six months' service?

MR. POWELL WILLIAMS (Birmingham, S.)

In reply to the first part of the Question the figures are as follows:—3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards—on parade 528, establishment 882; 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards—on parade 427, establishment 882; and 1st Battalion Scots Guards—on parade 591, establishment 1,088. The differences between these totals are largely accounted for by the absence of 552 men at recruit and musketry drill, 383 on guard and other duties, 142 sick, leaving a total of 229 under establishment for the three battalions. The services of men who parade on any particular day cannot be given.