§ MR. SEYMOUR ORMSBY-GORE (Lincolnshire, Gainsborough)To ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state the figures of the Volunteer officers who have resigned their commissions since May, 1902, and also how many non-commissioned officers and men of the Volunteer force have retired during the same period.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) The number of officers of the Volunteer force who have resigned since 1st May, 1902, is 713, compared with about 620 for twelve months in 1896–7 and 650 in 1897–8, when the establishment was 1,600 officers less. The number of noncommissioned officers and men can only be given between the 1st April, 1902, and 1st January, 1903, and amounts to 45,157, comparing with 52,000 for twelve months in 1897 and 1898. No further Returns will be received until next month.