§ MR. CLAUDE LOWTHER (Cumberland, Eskdale)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to give an assurance that those members of the Imperial Yeomanry who have served for over twelve months in South Africa, and who are desirous of returning home, shall be permitted to do so before 1st September, 1901, at latest, even if the war be not terminated at that date.
§ MR. BRODRICKAS I have frequently explained to the House, I am not in a position to fix a date for the return of the Imperial Yeomanry. Special consideration has been and will be shown in individual cases of hardship reported to the Commander-in-Chief, South Africa, by commanding officers. Any pledge of the kind asked, if given to the Yeomanry, would be applicable also to other troops who have volunteered for service.