HC Deb 20 July 1908 vol 192 c1477
Major RENTON (Lincolnshire, Gainsborough)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what cavalry regiments and what infantry battalions it is proposed to remove from South Africa, and when; and at what stations these units are at present quartered.

MR. ASHLEY

At the same time may I ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state the names of the cavalry regiment and of the four infantry battalions which will be withdrawn from the South African garrison between the 7th September, 1908, and the 6th February, 1909?

MR. HALDANE

The names and stations of the regiments are as follows:—4th Dragoon Guards, Middleburg, Cape Colony; 2nd East Kent, Harrismith, Orange River Colony; 2nd Norfolk, Pietermaritzburg; 2nd Yorkshire, Middleburg, Cape Colony; 3rd Worcestershire, Wynberg, Cape Colony.

LORD BALCARRES (Lancashire, Chorley)

Is this step being taken with a view to the ultimate disbandment of any of these battalions?

MR. HALDANE

That does not in the least arise out of the Question on the Paper.

MR. ASHLEY

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what will be the number of cavalry regiments and infantry battalions at Home and Abroad, respectively, when the reduction of the South African garrison by one cavalry regiment and four battalions of infantry has been carried out.

MR. HALDANE

There will be fourteen cavalry regiments at home and fourteen abroad, and seventy-four infantry battalions at home and seventy-four abroad.