Mr. ARNOLD FORSTEK (Belfast, W.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War what are the circumstances which made it permissible in the public interest to furnish the House with full particulars as to the age and services of 913 the men of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards on the 17th March last, and which make it impossible in the public interest to furnish similar particulars with regard to men serving in the 2nd Battalion of the same regiment on 1st May last; and will he explain why the Government have now for the first time withheld information of this kind from Parliament.
§ MR. WYNDHAMPerhaps the honourable Member will allow me to answer this question by stating the policy which governs the granting of particulars as to age and service. Such information has not been given for all units except at long intervals and on exceptional grounds; when, for example, our system as a whole has been under consideration, as in the report of Lord Wantage's Committee, or when an extensive reform has been newly sanctioned by the House, as in the case of the Return granted last year. The only other precedent was in 1879. But to enable the House to follow the progress made in raising new battalions the Secretary of State will grant these particulars in respect of the regiments to which battalions are being added.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERWill the honourable Gentleman answer the question as to the distinction between the first and second battalions?
§ MR. WYNDHAMNo, sir. The honourable Member stated that part of his question in terms which admit of no answer.