§ LORD ALGERNON PERCYasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the lowest weight at which recruits are at present enlisted for the Army is 120 pounds; and, whether the weight a soldier has to carry in complete marching order is about sixty pounds, or one-half of what may thus be his own weight?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, the weight of a recruit is considered with regard to his height and chest measurement. For recruits of the lowest height—namely 5 ft. 4 in. to 5 ft. 5 in.—the minimum weight is 120 lb. Men are, however, only enlisted, if, in the opinion of the medical officer and the commanding officer, they are likely to make eligible soldiers. The weight an Infantry recruit has to carry is estimated at 41 lb. 10 oz. in time of peace, and 51 lb. 1 oz. in time of war. A recruit is not required to carry a complete kit in marching order for some time after joining.