§ SIR SAMUEL SCOTT: (Marylebone, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can give from actuarial calculation figures as to the automatic shortage which will take place in the establishment of the Regular Army at Home and in India during the next six years.
† see(4)debates,clii.,773.
§ MR. HALDANEThe hon. Baronet is presumed to refer to the shortages which may be expected in the strength of the Infantry of the Line. On the assumption that the intake of recruits will not exceed 22,000 annually and that present establishments are maintained, it is probable that two years hence the shortage will be between 12,000 and 14,000. After that date the effective strength would begin to rise as the men enlisted under the three years system pass to the reserve.