§ MR. JEFFREYS (Hampshire, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of the Imperial Yeomanry now training at Aldershot, and how many horses are provided for that training.
§ MR. ORR-EWING (Ayr Burghs)I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state the number of Yeomanry Recruits in training at Aldershot, and whether they are provided with the full complement of officers; and can he give the number of instructors provided and the number of horses available for their training.
§ MR. BRODRICKThe number of Imperial Yeomanry recruits under training at Aldershot is 4,942. They are at present being chiefly trained in dismounted work and musketry. Three hundred horses have been sent for use in their riding instruction; this number is being increased daily, and will be raised to whatever point is considered adequate by the military authorities. The number of officers already appointed is 102, and, in addition, 13 home Imperial Yeomanry officers are under orders to proceed to help them in instructing.
§ MR. JEFFREYSMay I ask my right hon. friend whether the military authorities consider 300 horses to be sufficient to train 4,000 Yeomanry.
§ MR. BRODRICKI did not say so. These Yeomanry require instruction in dismounted work and also in musketry, and it is not considered advisable to bring too many horses into their charge at first. Many of these men have only arrived at Aldershot during the last few days, but all possible provision will be made for their instruction.