HC Deb 11 April 1905 vol 144 cc1260-1
GENERAL LAURIE (Pembroke and Haverfordwest)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the actual number of efficient soldiers of Infantry of the Line of twenty years of age obtained from each 1,000 recruits enlisted at ordinary recruiting age; the actual amount expended directly or indirectly on such 1,000 recruits, including all expenditure on those who do not attain the age of twenty and become efficient soldiers, and can thus ascertain the actual cost of each soldier becoming fit for active service; and whether he has compared such cost with the expense incurred by the Admiralty in enrolling boys for the Navy and training them to become efficient seamen for the Fleet.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER, Belfast, W.)

The average number of efficient soldiers of Infantry of the Line, of twenty years of age and upward, obtained from 1,000 recruits enlisted at ordinary recruiting age is 827. The expenditure on each batch of 1,000 recruits, including the expenditure on those who do not attain the age of twenty and become efficient soldiers, is about £70,000, giving a cost of about £84 10s. for each soldier fit for active service. Figures relating to seamen have been given by my hon. friend in reply to the hon. Member's Question on the 5th instant.†