MR. SEELYI beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office what was the average age of recruits enlisted last year for the regular Army; act what age are men being sent out to South Africa; and will he state what is the annual cost of a recruit.
LORD STANLEYThe information as to the average age of last year's recruits is not at present available, but the average age for the previous five years was 19. The age at which a soldier may go to South Africa varies according to the work he is expected to undergo—Infantry men are sent out at 20, Artillery at 19, and Militia and young soldiers who are intended for Lines of Communication, at 18. The average cost of a recruit for his first year (including cost of recruiting staff) is as follows:—Infantry, £50, Cavalry and Engineers, £60, Artillery, £54.