§ MAJOR RASCHI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what is the strength of the Aldershot division, men and horses; and how many were present on parade on the occasion of the Shahzada's visit?
§ *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe strength of the Aldershot command on June 1 was 20,051 men 4,045 horses and mules. Of these numbers 17,098 men and 3,377 horses were present on parade on the occasion referred to.
§ MR. HANBURYasked whether the difference between the total strength of the men on parade was not to be attributed to a great extent to the large number of employed men; and what was the number of employed men now at Aldershot.
§ *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI have not got the figures for this year. But last year, when there was a large margin between those present on parade and the number in the command, those absent were accounted for as being a large number of them recruits, a certain number on guard, some sick, some on leave, some dismounted cavalry and engineers, some Army Service Corps, a large number at musketry practice, some attending classes, clerks, cooks, officers' servants, and so on. I may mention that last year of the discrepancy of 5,000, the officers' servants only numbered 208.
§ MR. HANBURYBut they were not the only employed men.
§ *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANNo; I have not got the figures of the employed men.