§ CAPTAIN NORTONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, if he can state the number of commissioned officers deficient both at home and abroad; also, how the number of commissioned officers with the troops in South Africa compares with the number which any of the great Continental powers would employ for field service; and what steps, if any, are being taken to make good any deficiency which may exist.
§ MR. BRODRICKThere are 31 vacancies in the Cavalry, and 43 in the Loyal Artillery. None in the Engineers or Infantry. In the Army Service Corps there is a surplus of 248 due to the number of attached officers. The numbers would compare favourably with those of the Continental Armies.