SIR HOWARD VINCENTI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War how many divisions there are in the Volunteer force ready for immediate use as a field army, with their proper complement of artillery, engineers, and cavalry, and if these divisions and the brigades composing them are under the command of the generals and brigadiers, and in charge of the staff, who will be responsible for their efficiency or mobilisation, and if they have ever been or will ever be exercised together.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI am afraid the Answer must be what my hon. and gallant friend anticipates, namely: that there are no divisions of Volunteers in the state of preparedness referred to in the Question. The Army Council is now making a detailed inquiry into the condition of the various Volunteer units, with a view of ascertaining what proportion of the officers and men who compose them are fit for active service. I rely upon my hon. and gallant friend, and the officers of the Volunteer force generally, to assist the Army Council in their endeavours to improve the efficiency of the Volunteer force in the directions suggested by him, and I can assure him that I share the hopes which he evidently entertains that the Volunteers may before long, be organised on a more effective system than that which has hitherto prevailed.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERIt has been.