§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what was the date of formation of each of the eight line battalions recently destroyed; for what period were those battalions recruited on the basis of a three years colour service; and what number of men have passed from the battalions in question into the Army Reserve since their formation.
§ MR. HALDANEThe dates of formation were as follows: —3rd Batt. Northumberland Fusiliers, February, 1900; 4th Batt. Northumberland Fusiliers, February, 1900; 3rd Batt. Manchester Regiment, February, 1900; 4th Batt. Manchester Regiment, February, 1900; 3rd Batt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment, April, 1898; 4th Batt. Royal Warwickshire Regiment, February, 1900; 3rd Batt. Lancashire Fusiliers, April, 1898; 4th Batt. Lancashire Fusiliers, March, 1900. Enlistment for three years colour service commenced in April, 1898, and three years men were enlisted for these regiments as well as the others until this period of enlistment was stopped in November, 1904. As regards the Reserve, as all transfers to the Reserve are from the regiment as a whole, it would not be practicable to obtain the information required without very considerable labour.