§ MAJOR SEELY (Isle of Wight)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what is the estimated number of recruits required annually, under the present nine years system of enlistment, in order to maintain the establishment at full strength, and how many recruits have actually been obtained since January 1st of this year.
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER, Belfast, W.)The number of infantry recruits enlisted for nine years required to maintain the establishment of the new Army organisation scheme when in working order is as shown in the document presented to Parliament in 1904 (Cd. 1910). At present a large number is required for reasons that I have already explained to the House. The number of infantry recruits actually obtained since January 1st to February 28th is 4,810.