§ SIR JOHN COLOMB (Great Yarmouth)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state how many of the 131,786 Militia and Volunteers appropriated to the service of naval fortresses at home are raised in, or belong to, localities within Army Corps districts in which naval fortresses are situate. I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the total number of Militia and Volunteers raised in, or belonging to, Army Corps districts in which naval
†See (4) Debates, cxiii., 1382.1443 fortresses are situated; and how many of this total number are appropriated to field and fortress service respectively.
§ MR. BRODRICKIt is not considered desirable to publish the detailed information affecting the national defences for which my hon. and gallant friend asks.
§ SIR JOHN COLOMBIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that any one can calculate the figures from the War Office Vote?
§ MR. BRODRICKThat may be, but I would rather not be the channel for communicating them to the House.