§ LORD CHARLES BERESFORD (Woolwich)To ask the Secretary of State for War if he can inform the House the difference between the present strength of the Militia and that of the Establishment, exclusive of officers and permanent staff, laid down for 1902–3, and if he has any official Reports showing the present state of recruiting for the Militia, and whether the deficiency in numbers will soon be made good.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) The Establishment is 123,016, and the strength on the 1st October was 104,380. The deficiency is considerably less than in preceding years, the recruiting showing a marked improvement. If the Bill for establishing a new Militia Reserve becomes law in the present session, I hope that next year will see great progress towards making up the Establishment.