SIR HOWARD VINCENTI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if the records of the War Office bear out the statement obtained by individual inquiry from corps that out of 204,000 Volunteers on the muster roll on November 1st, 1899, of 263 corps no less than 71,758 volunteered for active service over sea, and that 29,049 actually took part in the South African Campaign (17,344 with Volunteer service companies, and 11,705 with other corps); or, if not, what figures does the War Office put forward in that connection.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThere are no records at the War Office showing the number who volunteered for active service oversea during the South African War. The numbers of Volunteers that are known to have served in South Africa in service companies and the City of London Imperial Volunteers amounted to 19,856 of all ranks. Besides these, 6,209 of all ranks were struck off the strength of Volunteer corps with a view to their joining the Imperial Yeomanry.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERNo, Sir.