§ SIR JOHN COLOMB (Great Yarmouth)To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state the date when recruiting for the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve commenced; and whether the number 3,053, stated in the First Lord's Memorandum as the total strength of that force on 1st December, 1904, represents the total result of efforts made up to that date to obtain Volunteers for service in the Fleet in war, carrying with it the obligation to serve abroad or Wherever the exigencies of war may require.
(Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) Recruiting for the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve began officially in London, the first centre, in August, 1903; from November, 1903, to July, 1904, recruiting commenced at various other centres at different dates. The number of men stated in the First Lord's Memorandum represents the total strength of the force (exclusive of staff) on the 1st December last. That number represents the recruiting by such divisions as the Admiralty thought desirable to authorise during the first year.