§ LORD CHARLES BERESFORDTo ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can inform the House of the number by which effective Volunteers are short of the number laid down as the establishment for 1902–03, and the number of resignations in all ranks that has taken place during the last three months.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) The establishment has gradually risen during the war to 346,450, but it was not contemplated this would be permanent. The strength on the 1st October was 272,957. The number who voluntarily quitted the force between 1st July and 1st September was 4,261; the details for the month of October are not yet reported. It is probable that the numbers of the force will gradually assimilate themselves to those before the war, which averaged about 225,000, which the Military authorities consider fully adequate to all needs on mobilisation, provided they are really efficient.