§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the serious falling-off in recruiting during the last six months, he will carry out the suggestions of the Wantage Committee in the direction of abolition of stoppages, free kit, and Is. per day (as advertised), and give additional Government assistance in the employment of reserve and discharged soldiers?
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN,) Stirling, &c.I have already stated, in reply to a question, what is the amount of the partial falling-off' in the number of recruits enlisted, and also what is its principal cause; and I intimated in the discussions on Army Estimates how far Her Majesty's Government is prepared to go in carrying out the recommendations of the Committee over which Lord Wantage presided. Of the special points referred to in the question, changes have been sanctioned in regard to the clothing of the soldier, and further assistance has been afforded to the Society for Procuring Employment for Discharged Soldiers.