§ MR. STEVENSON (Suffolk, Eye)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is able to state approximately what is at the present moment the effective numerical strength of the Regular Army within the limits of the United Kingdom under the heads of household cavalry, cavalry of the line, royal artillery, royal engineers, foot guards, infantry of the line, and special service corps.
§ * MR. WYNDHAMA statement will shortly be made as to the military situa- 277 tion. It will include the information asked for.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)Does the hon. Gentleman mean that a printed statement will be laid on the Table, or that a verbal statement will be made on behalf of the Government?
§ * MR. WYNDHAMSo far as I have contemplated it will be made verbally by the Secretary for War in another place, and a similar statement will be made by me in this House. We will consult as to whether any printed statement should accompany it.
§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in consideration of the fact that after the brigades under orders have sailed there will be practically no Regulars or organisation in the country, he will state what steps, if any, the Committee of National Defence is prepared to propose for the protection of the United Kingdom.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIt has already been explained that a statement on this subject will be made in a form more convenient than in answer to a question.