§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, Chelmsford)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the 1st Battalion Essex Regiment now in South 658 Africa have been under orders for India for two years, and that the 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment have landed in South Africa from India to relieve them, in accordance with his speech on the subject of reliefs in November last; and whether, taking into consideration the fact that in anticipation of the move baggage has been sent on to India by the battalion, he can make some definite statement as to the destination of the 1st Battalion.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Lord STANLEY,) Lancashire, WesthoughtonI am afraid I cannot at present state when the time may arrive at which Lord Kitchener may be able to dispense with the services of this and other regiments.