§ MR. ASHLEYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that in the Return showing the actual strength of the Infantry battalions and depots on the home establishment on the 1st March last, issued on the Motion of Viscount Midleton, a deficit of 7,520 men is shown; whether this deficit has now been made good in whole or in part; and, if in part only, to what extent and by what means.
§ MR. HALDANEApparently the hon. Member is alluding to Cd. 3802 which gave figures for the 1st February and not for the 1st March. His figures are not understood—but probably he has not noticed that the Return is for rank and file only and does not include old soldiers at the depots. The actual deficit of non-commissioned officers and men in line battalions and depots at home on the 1st March was 3,716, and this deficit had, on the 1st April, been reduced by 1,259, this reduction being irrespective of alterations in establishment.