§ SIR CARNE RASCHI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will explain why the 2nd Essex, which was to have returned home this trooping season, has been countermanded, seeing that this battalion has recently served seventeen years abroad, as against three at home.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThis battalion went abroad in April, 1904, for a short tour of service, which under ordinary circumstances would have lasted until the spring of 1907. When it 62 was resolved to reduce the number of battalions in the Colonies this battalion was included in the number to come home in 1905–6. These reductions have not proceeded as rapidly as was at one time expected, and have necessitated the countermanding of the orders for the 2nd Essex to come home.