§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if directions can be given 492 that the Volunteer Service Companies, Imperial Yeomanry, Militia, and married men of the Army Reserve are to be given priority in the return from South Africa, so soon as it can be safely permitted by Lord Kitchener, and if thereby any one I battalion is reduced below its proper establishment provisional battalions and regiments may be formed from two or more battalions, as in the case of depots of Regular troops and administrative battalions of Volunteers and Yeomanry.
§ * MR. BRODRICKI cannot make any statement as to the order of return of troops from South Africa, but full weight will be given to the considerations urged by my lion, and gallant friend.