§ MR. H. S. FOSTER (Suffolk, Lowestoft)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the first and second sections of Paget's Horse have now been enrolled many weeks; that a large proportion of those forming part of these sections gave up their occupations in order to join the ranks; and that dissatisfaction exists at the delay and uncertainity as to their departure for the front. Whether he can state approximately the date of their departure; whether the War Office has handed over to the Imperial Yeomanry Committee the military arrangements, and what experience the members of that committee have had in organising and transporting large bodies of mounted troops; and will he state why the second section have not yet been furnished with rifles, and when they will be so armed.
§ *Mr. BRODRICK (for Mr. Wyndham)The 51st Company Imperial Yeomanry will not be ready for embarkation till the 16th March, and will sail in the "Tagus" on that date. The 52nd Company is ready and will be despatched as soon as transports are available. The Yeomanry Committee have secured the assistance of experienced officers in regard to the 203 organisation and transport of the Yeomanry. As regards the rifles, the 52nd Company have not yet applied for them to the War Office.
§ MR. H. S. FOSTERHave the War Office, as asked in the third paragraph, handed over the arrangements to the Imperial Yeomanry Committee?
§ *Mr. BRODRICKCertain arrangements have been handed over to the committee, and the experiment has so fat been attended with great success.