§ 85. Mr. WATTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the raising of a battalion of less height than the 571 regulations permit, namely, 5 feet 3 inches, has been sanctioned for several towns in England, including Manchester, Leeds, Birkenhead and Bury; whether this permission has been refused to the large Scottish towns, including Glasgow and Edinburgh; if so, will he say why this distinction has been made; and is he now prepared to put the two countries on an equal basis so far as the raising of bantam battalions is concerned?
§ Mr. TENNANTPermission to raise so-called "bantam" battalions in the English towns mentioned has been given, and similar permission has now been extended to Glasgow and Edinburgh.