HC Deb 07 August 1907 vol 180 cc64-6
MR. IDRIS (Flint Boroughs)

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of an inhabitant of Flintshire, who was called on the 17th June to attend the annual training of the Militia at Beaumaris, where he must remain until the 1st August, whose wife and three children have become chargeable to the common fund of the Holywell Union; whether he is aware that before leaving home the man was in regular work and able to maintain his family, and that representations have been received from the guardians to the effect that it should not be the duty of the ratepayers to make provision for the families of such persons during the time they are called upon to do service for the country; and whether the Government propose to provide maintenance where necessary for the families of those who are rendering compulsory service.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) A letter to the effect stated in the Question has been received from the clerk of Holywell Union, who has been informed in reply that the pay of a Militiaman can be stopped for the support of his wife and children to the extent and under the conditions laid down in Paragraph 145 of the Army Act, the provisions of

Regimental Strength of the Regular Army compared with the Numbers provided for in Army Estimates (exclusive of Officers).
Date. Establishment. Strength. Plus. Minus. Recruits.
Year. Number enlisted.
1st January, 1890 206,836 202,680 — 4,156 1899 29,401
1st January 1891 207,826 202,939 — 4,887 1890 31,407
1st January 1892 208,164 203,994 — 4,170 1891 36,003
1st January 1893 208,577 210,141 1,564 — 1892 41,659
1st January 1894 209,277 211,723 2,446 — 1893 35,195
1st January 1895 210,985 214,457 3,472 — 1894 33,698
1st January 1896 211,077 214,438 3,361 — 1895 29,583
1st January 1897 211,915 213,148 1,233 — 1896 28,532
1st January 1898 214,257 213,314 — 943 1897 35,015
1st January 1899 235,928 223,595 — 12,333 1898 40,729
1st January 1903 268,864 304,847 35,983 — 1899 42,700
1st January 1904 267,651 272,357 4,706 — 1903 41,011
1st January 1905 263,147 268,889 5,742 — 1904 40,956
1st January 1906 268,692 255,256 — 13,436 1905 36,339
1st January 1907 250,855 244,455 — 6,400 1906 36,151

The numbers given include British troops and Colonial corps serving at home, in India, and the Colonies, but do not include the Indian Army. The period

which apply to Militiamen when out for training.