§ MR. KENNETH BALFOUR (Christchurch)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the Grenadier Guards are 228, the Coldstream Guards 409, and the Scots Guards 585 men below strength, and that the ranks are being constantly further depleted by men being transferred to the reserve, he can state if any steps are in contemplation to make good this deficiency; and whether he will consider the advisability of enlisting 68 men for a period of only two years with the Colours.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) The present deficiency in some of the battalions of the Guards arises in some degree from the diversion to the Irish Guards, who were raised in 1900, of men who previously joined other Guards regiments. Every effort will be made to obtain recruits, but the present establishment of the Guards is nearly 3,000 higher than it was seven years ago. Next year the extra pay will become effective to men who re-engage, which they have now no inducement to do, altering the terms of enlistment.