§ MR. SOARES (Devonshire, Barnstaple)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the strength of the 4th Volunteer Battalion Devon Regiment has diminished during the last three years as follows: 1st November, 1901, 1,271; 1st November, 1902, 1,119; and 1st November, 1903, 1,042; that this year only four recruits have been enrolled in the two companies A and B at Barnstaple; that a number of men have recently resigned, and that dissatisfaction prevails among non-commissioned officers and men as to the rate of pay allowed when in camp; and, if so, will he say what steps he proposes to take to remedy this state of affairs; and whether it is intended to allow increased pay this year to Volunteers during their attendance in camp.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold-For-ster.) The figures quoted for the strength are substantially as stated. No report has reached the War Office concerning the condition of the Barnstaple companies. The general question of camp
† These figures show expenditure according to published accounts. The figures not marked show sums voted in the Estimates.208 actual expenditure in all cases as in some instances it has not been published. Moreover, in some cases the Naval Budgets make provision for certain items, such as coast fortifications, which are of a military nature.
§ The following is the information available:—
§ allowances has been brought before the Royal Commission, and no further action can be taken until this body has Reported.