§ MR. MANSFIELD (Lincolnshire, Spalding)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the statement of the Superintendent of Police for the Holland Division of Lincolnshire to the Standing Joint Committee of the Holland County Council that the increase in the number of cases of begging from sixty-four in 1901–2 to 103 in 1902–3 was due to the number of soldiers returning from South Africa and the scarcity of work; and, if so, whether he will consider the advisability of taking steps to find employment for discharged soldiers.
§ MR. BRODRICKMy attention has not been drawn to this matter, nor have I any reason to think that the increase in begging cases was due to the number of soldiers returning from South Africa who were unable to obtain employment. The information in the hands of the War Office as regards this question is set out somewhat fully in the Report of the Inspector-General of Recruiting.