§ GENERAL LAURIE (Pembroke and Haverfordwest)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of Paragraph 15, Part II., of Lord Esher's 701 Report and of the statement of Lord Lansdowne, on July 21st, that the linked-battalion system was doomed, he can now state how long he proposes to continue this organisation; and what measures will be substituted to provide the drafts for the battalions on foreign service.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERAs I have explained to the House on previous occasions, until a sufficient number of nine-years men have been recruited to meet the requirements of the drafts for the battalions on service abroad, the present system must remain in force. As soon as the time arrives for establishing large depots the system of supplying drafts by the linked battalion will be gradually discontinued.