§ MR. THOMAS DEWAR (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether he will explain why eight Metropolitan Volunteer Infantry Battalions should be brigaded under an organisation adapted for time of peace only, whereas in time of war, according to the scheme for Home defence, they are brigaded entirely differently, viz., as the 23rd and 24th Brigades of the 4th Army Corps under different Brigadiers and with Battalions not brigaded with them in peace training or organisation.
§ MR. BRODRICKUntil the new system has been tested it has been thought well to maintain the existing arrangement for the eight battalions mentioned, except so far as Camp is concerned, when they will train under their Field Army Brigadier.
†See preceding volume, p. 957.