§ SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state to the House the number of 94 Reservists now actually in receipt of Reserve pay, land also the number of men not in receipt of the messing allowance.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) The number of Reservists actually in receipt of Reserve pay on the 1st February was 38,823, there being 18,000 men on gratuity furlough at present on full pay who pass to the Reserve on the conclusion of their furlough. The number of men not in receipt of messing allowance depends on two conditions, viz., (a) whether they are under nineteen years of age; (b) whether they have performed six months satisfactory training. As regards (a) the number of men under nineteen on 1st February was 20,640. As regards (b) figures could only be obtained by applying to every unit.