§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE (Bristol, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state the total number of desertions amongst the 42,216 recruits enlisted this year.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThe total number of desertions amongst the recruits who enlisted during the twelve months ending the 1st June, 1904, cannot be obtained without referring to every unit in the Army. I cannot, therefore, undertake to supply the hon. Member with the information.
§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSECan we have it later?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERIt will appear in the Annual Return.
§ MR. PIRIE (Aberdeen, N.)Are not these returns made monthly?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERNot the Returns of desertions.