§ SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state the exact scope of the inquiry to be conducted by the Committee appointed at his request by the Adjutant-General;
229 and whether their inquiry into the redistribution of districts will be preceded by a decision as to the number of battalions and of men to be maintained at home.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThe Committee is inquiring how far the principle of decentralisation, as recommended by the War Office (Reconstitution) Committee, can be applied to the existing organisation and distribution of the troops at home. No steps will be taken which will be incompatible with any alteration which may be made in the number and distribution of the troops to be maintained at home.