§ SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether there will be in Ireland eight nucleus Regular battalions intended to co-exist with the Irish Militia, enlisted under Part III. of his scheme; and whether, in consequence, an increased number of recruits, taking Militia and Regulars together, will be required in Ireland in the future, or whether a decrease in the number of Irish Militia battalions and the decrease in artillery will meet any increase causer by the formation of Irish nucleus Regular battalions.
§ (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The reply to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. As regards the rest of the Question, owing to the weakness of certain Militia battalions in Ireland there may have to be some 424 amalgamation of battalions under the new scheme. The establishment of men in the battalions of both kinds which will be retained in Ireland under the provisions of the Bill will not be less than the existing strength of the Irish Militia, but I do not anticipate that a greater number of recruits than at present will be required.