§ SIR CHARLES DILKEI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if he could state to the House what was the number of men having over seven years' service at the date of the latest return, and what was the corresponding number on the same day of 1897; what was the number of the Army Reserve at the date of the latest return, and what were the corresponding numbers on the same day of 1897, and on the same day of 1895 and 1894; and what was the enrolled strength of the Militia at the date of the latest return, and what was the corresponding number on the same day of 1894.
§ MR. WYNDHAMOn January 1, 1899, the latest date for which this return is obtainable, there were 47,844 men over seven years' service, against 41,780 on January 1, 1897. The strength of the Army Reserve on September 1, on the eve, that is, of the recent mobilisation, was 81,244; on the same date in 1897, 81,162; in 1895, 80,736; and in 1894, 82,460. The Militia, by the latest return, had 105,312 men enrolled, as against 113,079 in 1894.