HC Deb 26 February 1903 vol 118 cc921-2
*COLONEL WELBY (Taunton)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that an Army Corps includes engineers, transport, commissariat, and ammunition trains, medical and veterinary services, and is immobile and unfit for war without them; and whether he will complete the Parliamentary Paper, State of the Six Army Corps Commands, by furnishing particulars of these services in each of the first three Army Corps.

MR. BRODRICK

The reply to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. The demands of the South African War have not enabled us to withdraw all the departmental corps simultaneously with the fighting units, but after the close of the financial year I shall be in a position to show the cadres which it is intended to maintain in time of peace for the first three Army Corps.

*COLONEL WELBY

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a Return showing what actually exists at present in the three Army Corps, not merely the cadres.

MR. BRODRICK

No, Sir; I think as the units are not yet withdrawn from South Africa the Return would be of no value to the House.

*COLONEL WELBY

But the Return might show what troops are really in the country.

MR. BRODRICK

With considerable labour a Return could be prepared to show in detail all the departmental units scattered over the country.

MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL (Oldham)

Would it not be worth while for the Department in the public interest to undertake this labour?

MR. BRODRICK

I think that, perhaps, hon. Gentlemen exaggerate the importance of the question. Obviously, the units of the departmental corps in South Africa cannot be in this country at the same time, and as they are in process of withdrawal it would give a false impression of the strength of the country if it were assumed that only those units at present in England are to be compared with those to be withdrawn. in a few weeks

*COLONEL WELBY

Will the right hon. Gentleman cease to use the name of Army Corps until they are really formed?

MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL also rose to put a further Question.

*MR. SPEAKER

This is becoming a debate. The hon. Member should defer further discussion until the Army Estimates come on.