§ MR. JEFFREYS (Hampshire, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the recruits for the Imperial Yeomanry who are sent to Aldershot find no proper barrack accommodation ready for them; whether rifles in some cases have not been issued to them for a fortnight; and whether, as under these circumstances it is difficult to drill the men, he will take steps to have proper arrangements made.
§ *MR. BRODRICKThe General Officer Commanding at Aldershot reports that there has naturally been considerable difficulty in accommodating, almost at a moment's notice, over 6,000 recruits who came there immediately on enrolment without any military organisation. This difficulty has been rendered greater by many of the men arriving unexpectedly after the authorised hours. As the barracks are temporarily occupied by more than the normal number, it has been necessary to provide trestle camp
† See The parliamentary Debates [Fourth Series], Vol. lxxxviii., p.678.33 beds, but every man has been provided with a bed and plenty of bedding. As regards clothing, there has been no unnecessary delay, as every man has to be carefully fitted, more especially with boots. It is not true that men have been drilled in the snow un-provided with proper clothing or boots. Every man is provided with a warm jersey to wear under his khaki serge frock. As regards the rifles, all demands of the Commandant, Imperial Yeomanry, have been met without any hitch or delay. The Commander-in-Chief has sent General Mackinnon to Aldershot to take command, under Sir Redvers Buller, of the large body of Yeomanry now there. Arrangements have been made to cope with the difficulties, and drafts are being rapidly despatched to South Africa.
§ MR. JEFFREYSWhy send the men to Aldershot at all?
§ *MR. BRODRICKBecause it is the most convenient station at which to deal with them.