§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been directed to the statement in Lord Methuen's Report on the action at Tweebosch on 7th March last, namely, that he found the men forming the rear screen, which consisted of the 86th Company Imperial Yeomanry, much out of hand, and lacking both fire, discipline, and knowledge of how to act; and if he can say when and under what conditions the men forming the 86th Company Imperial Yeomanry were recruited, what length of training they received prior to embarkation for South Africa, and what previous training the officers of this unit underwent.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Lord STANLEY, Lancashire, Westhoughton)This Company formed part of the second contingent of Imperial Yeomanry which was sent to South Africa in accordance with Lord Kitchener's wishes, and has done twelve months service there.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONThe noble Lord has not answered the Question as to the length of training they received before embarking for South Africa.
§ LORD STANLEYI am afraid I cannot say exactly, because a good many of the companies have been broken up. We have endeavoured as far as possible, whenever sending Imperial Yeomanry out, to conform with Lord Kitchener's request as to the training of them.