MR. BAETLEY (Islington, N.)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether thirty-seven recruits from the dep6t at Omagh are now being sent to South Africa to reinforce the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; if so, what are the ages of these recruits, have they had any experience in battalion drill, have they ever had any practical instruction in shooting, and have they only had four months' training.
MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMSI believe these figures are substantially correct. In a certain number of cases partially trained soldiers have been sent with drafts to South Africa for service on the lines of communications and have been attached where possible to Militia battalions. The Secretary of State has recently given orders to discontinue sending drafts, having regard to the large number of men in each unit now in South Africa.