I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, if he can now state if it is intended to reduce the number of Militia battalions; and, if so, which battalions are to be done away with.

When the scheme for the Infantry of the Special Contingent comes into force there will be fifteen battalions of the Militia in Great Britain to be disposed of. These battalions would be dealt with as follows: — (1) By amalgamating the officers and men into the third battalions; or (2) by amalgamating the officers and men into the fourth battalions; or (3) by offering them transfers to the Territorial Army. Possibly a combination of all these methods might be adopted. It is not possible to say at present which Militia battalions will be dealt with as above.