§ CAPTAIN NORTONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it has been brought to his notice that there are only some 1,500 horses for the purpose of training the 5,000 Imperial Yeomanry at Aldershot, and that of these horses nearly 400 are not available owing to sickness, some having been actually sent to Aldershot while suffering from strangles; also that a large proportion of the officers with these battalions are promoted troopers, who have not at present had experience in training men; whether he is aware that several of these Imperial Yeomanry battalions are short of medical officers, veterinary officers, farriers, and shoeing smiths: and what steps he proposes taking to remedy these defects with a view to the efficiency of this force.
LORD STANLEYOf the 1,500 horses about 280 are sick, and not 400. It must be remembered that one battalion of Yeomanry has been sent to Bulford to train, where horses are provided. Some of the officers are promoted troopers, and have been selected on acoount of their being likely to become good leaders of men. I am aware that there is a deficiency of the officers and men mentioned, and every effort is being taken to meet it. As 274 many horses have been assigned to the Yeomanry as the General Officer Commanding considered desirable.