SIR HOWARD VINCENTI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, having regard to the fact that the first reinforcements for the Field Army in South Africa, to the number of over
† See page 700. ‡ See page 849.1355 13,000 men, were furnished by the Militia Reserve, and that such reinforcements were necessary within three months of the declaration of war to supply the wastage of a campaign, if ho will be good enough to state from what source under his proposals such reinforcements will be obtained if the Militia Reserve for the Army is abolished.
§ *MR. BRODRICKThe Army Reserve will in the normal be considerably increased by the percentage of three years men now taken who give nine years service in the Reserve; and also by the fact that the establishment of home battalions has been raised from 720 to 800. These steps were taken in 1898, and had not come into operation when the Militia Reserve was called up in 1900.