HC Deb 02 March 1900 vol 79 cc1524-5
* SIR JOHN COLOMB () Great Yarmouth

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the percentage of men who, in each of the years 1897, 1898, and 1899 completed the full period of service of twelve years, and left the service instead of re-engaging in the following branches of the naval service respectively, namely, Royal Navy Executive branch, Royal Navy Engineer branch, Royal Marine Artillery, and Royal Marine Light Infantry.

MR. GOSCHEN

The percentages are as follows:—Seamen class: 1897-98, 34 per cent.; 1898-99, 34 per cent.; 1899-1900, not available. Stoker class: 1897-98, 14 percent.; 1898-99, 14 percent.; 1899-1900, not available. Royal Marines: 1897, 59 per cent., actual number discharged 243; 1898, 44 per cent., actual number discharged 182; 1899, 39 per cent., actual number discharged 163.

* SIR JOHN COLOMB

Can the right hon. Gentleman differentiate between the infantry and the artillery?

MR. GOSCHEN

If I can I will.