§ MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War how many mounted troops have been sent to South Africa since 1st January last, and how many of these are to fill up vacancies, and how many are additions to the strength of the Army in South Africa sent at the request of Lord Kitchener.
§ MR. BRODRICKThe total reinforcements of mounted troops for South Africa sent out since the 1st January amount to 131 officers and 5,530 men, including one officer and 920 men of the South African Constabulary. There are no returns available to show how many of these will fill up casualties or be additions to the strength of the Army in South Africa.
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)Are these figures independent of General Baden Powell's police force?
§ MR. BRODRICKI have said they included the men sent out for that force.
§ MR. BARTLEYAre we to understand that no portion of the 30,000 additional men has yet been sent out?
§ MR. BRODRICKAbout 2,000 have started.