§ 3. Mr. J. O'CONNORasked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the normal term of duty of an Infantry brigade in the trenches; whether in February and March, 1918, an Infantry brigade was kept in the trenches for forty days without relief; under whose command the division was at the time: and by whose order the brigade referred to was kept in the trenches for such an unprecedented period?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThere is no normal term of duty for an Infantry brigade in the trenches. It depends on the front held by the brigade, the front held by the division, the number of troops in reserve available for relief, and the activity or otherwise of the sector. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, during the period in question the British Army was holding a long front.