§ MR. DELANY (Queen's County, Ossory)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the 1628 rations of the Militia recruits at present assembled at Maryborough have been curtailed; and, if so, will he state what system exists for checking the rations issued and seeing that every man gets his allowance; and whether, seeing that the recruits are now drilled before breakfast from 6.45 to 7.45 a.m., he will explain why the allowance of coffee and biscuits given to recruits before first parade has been discontinued this year.
§ (Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) The hon. Member has been misinformed. The rations of the Militia recruits have not been curtailed, and the men appear to be satisfied with them. A board of two officers inspects and witnesses the issue of Government rations daily. There is no parade before 9 a.m., but half an hour from 7 to 7.30 is employed in cleaning the barracks. Breakfast is at 7.45 a.m.
§ MR. DELANYTo ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will explain why the food allowance given at night in past years to the guard of the Militia (4th Leinster Regiment) in training at Mary. borough has been discontinued this year.
§ (Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) The system by which military police supersede the guards being in vogue, the recruits are not taken for this duty, and therefore no light refreshments are necessary.