§ LORD TEMPLEMOREMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question of which I have given Notice.
[The Notice was as follows:—To ask His Majesty's Government whether it is intended to form another infantry brigade in the Northern Command, consequent on the return of the six infantry battalions from the Rhine, two of which it is understood have proceeded to Catterick, thus increasing the number 370 of unallotted battalions in the Command to five; whether this brigade, if formed, is to form part of a 5th Division to be organised on the lines of the four existing divisions in Great Britain; and what is the general policy of the War Office as regards the organisation of the troops in this Command.]
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (EARL DE LA WARR)My Lords, on the return of the troops from the Rhine it has been decided to reform the 5th Division on the lines of the other four divisions, to include three infantry brigades, two brigade headquarters being transferred from the Rhine. The divisional headquarters and the three brigades will all be stationed in the Northern Command; the proposed stations being as follows:—1 divisional head-quarters, 2 brigade headquarters, and 8 battalions at Catterick; 1 brigade head-quarters at York; 1 battalion at York; 1 battalion at Strensall; and 2 battalions at Lichfield.