HC Deb 24 October 1899 vol 77 c571
SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War what was the number of recruits enlisted up to October 1, as compared with the number enlisted in the same months of 1898; and what is the extent of the present deficiency on the establishments.

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. WYNDHAM,) Dover

Up to October 1, 29,451 recruits joined the regular Army as against 29,577 during the same period last year, but this includes recruits for colonial corps. British recruits numbered 27,144 as against 27,766 in the same period of last year. On October 1 the Army was 13,343 men below its establishment as against 13,768 last year; but the establishment for this year is 4,269 more than that for last, so that this means an increase in actual strength of 4,694.