§ MR. HARMSWORTHTO ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will give Returns of the number of men who have deserted, bought their discharge, or left the service at the expiration of their first period during the past twelve mouths.
(Answered by Mr. Arnold-Forster.)During the twelve months ending 30th September, 1902, 1,423 men deserted from the Royal Navy (710 deserters being recovered during the same period), 520 men purchased their discharge, and 626 men left the service on the expiration of their first continuous service engagement.