§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state how many general officers, substantive and acting, are now attached to the Field Force in South Africa, and if, having regard to the main employment of the 33 troops either in blockhouses or in small columns under regimental Field Officers, effort will be made not to increase Staff expenses in default of direct application by Lord Kitchener for the services of a particular officer.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Lord STANLEY, Lancashire, Westhoughton)Eighteen general officers are at present employed in South Africa. There are also 11 officers with local rank of Major-General and 12 with local rank of Brigadier-General. The Commander-in-Chief is responsible for the number of generals employed, and he is in constant communication with Lord Kitchener.