§ MR. ASHLEY (Lancashire, Blackpool)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what is the present strength of the Infantry of the Special Reserve in non-commissioned officer's and men; and how many of the men are under twenty years of age.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. HALDANE,) HaddingtonOn the 1st July the strength of the non-commissioned officers and men of the Infantry Special Reserve (excluding the Permanent Establishment) was 25,528. No statistics as regards the ages are at present available in the War Office,
§ from the Royal Navy and the number of non-commissioned officers from the Royal Marines are in receipt of pensions and the total amount of those pensions for the years 1908, 1898, and 1888; and what number of commissioned officers from the Royal Navy and Marines are in receipt of pensions, and the total amount of those pensions for the years 1908, 1898, and 1888.
§ MR. McKENNAStatement showing the number of commissioned officers in receipt of retired pay, warrant and subordinate officers, petty officers, non-commissioned officers and men in receipt of pensions, together with the total amounts relative to each class, for the years 1888, 1898, and 1908:—
§ MR. ASHLEYThen are we to understand that of the 25,528 men the right hon. Gentleman does not know how many are fit for service abroad?
§ MR. HALDANEWe shall have the information in due course.
§ MR. ASHLEYWhat steps are you taking to ascertain it?
§ MR. HALDANEWe shall have the ages presently.