§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)To ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state what is the present strength of the Volunteer Force, and how it compares with the state of affairs on 1st February, 1901; and what is the present deficiency in officers.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold-Forster.) As regards the totals of all ranks, the returns being rendered quarterly, the latest figures available are for 1st January of each year, and are as follows:—1901, Strength 277,910; 1904, Strength 241,280. As regards the officers the present establishment is 9,454, and the deficiency on the 1st February was 2,333; this includes 184 seconded or supernumerary officers.