HC Deb 01 February 1900 vol 78 cc272-3
MR. WARNER

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if there is any reason for not having embodied the whole of the Militia, so as to avoid leaving this country with so few trained troops; and how soon all the Militia will be embodied.

* MR. WYNDHAM

Fifty-six battalions of Militia are now embodied for service at home. With these Militiamen, and with the Reservists called up, and the Regulars left behind by regiments which have gone to South Africa, our barracks are quite full. A statement will be made shortly as to the Government proposals for the defence of the country.

MR. WARNER

Does that include the barracks in Ireland as full?

* MR. WYNDHAM

All barracks in the United Kingdom are at this moment full to overflowing.

MR. FLYNN

Is it not a fact that while the Irish Militia have been sent abroad the English Militia have been kept in the home barracks?

[No answer was given.]