§ Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYasked what are the latest figures available for 1911 giving the actual numbers of soldiers in the Regular Army in cavalry and infantry regiments at home; how many men included in such figures are fully trained and efficient soldiers undergoing continuous military training at the present time; and how many of such men are disqualified by reason of being under the age limit for immediate service abroad?
§ Colonel SEELYA Return (Cd. 5594) was presented to Parliament on the 30th March last, showing the numbers of men qualified for the Expeditionary Force on the 1st June, 1910, after the usual deductions on account of age, service, and sickness had been made. This return, and the General Annual Report for the year ending 30th September, 1910, which was issued on the 14th March last, will give 188 the hon. Member approximate information on the subject of his question. These are the latest figures on the subject which have been compiled and published.
§ Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYasked (1) what are the present numbers of men in the two cavalry regiments now stationed at Brighton and Colchester; what are the numbers of men in each of these two regiments who are under age for military service abroad at the present time; how many men in each regiment have been dismissed riding school and have undergone a due period of training with the squadron; and how many men in each regiment are now employed with the remounts and are thereby precluded from undergoing a continuous military training with their respective squadrons; (2) how many men in each regiment of cavalry at present stationed at Brighton and Colchester, respectively, and how many men in each battalion of the brigade of infantry now stationed at Colchester, who appear on paper to figure as numbering in the fighting strength in the ranks, would be employed on active service in staff, or extra-regimental duty as clerks signallers, pioneers, and with machine guns, and thus precluded from taking their place in the fighting strength in the ranks; and (3) what are the number of soldiers in each of the two cavalry regiments now stationed at Brighton and Colchester, respectively, and in each battalion of the brigade of infantry at Colchester, who are employed on the staff away from such regiments and battalions; the numbers in regimental employment who do not undergo continuous military training; and the numbers employed as servants with officers with such regiments and battalions, with officers seconded from such regiments and battalions, in the officers' mess in each regiment and battalion, and with the work of the sergeants' mess or in any other capacity than that of a regular soldier undergoing continuous military training?
§ Colonel SEELYThese questions would require a full return from each of the units concerned, involving much time in compilation. The staff of the units are now fully employed in training, and I trust, therefore, the hon. Gentleman will not press for this information.
§ Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYasked whether, in view of the number of regular soldiers who are now employed in regimental duties of a non-military character, and are thereby prevented from being 189 trained on an equal footing with those who receive a continuous military training, the Secretary of State for War will take into consideration the desirability of employing Reserve men not only as officers' servants, but for any similar duties for which regular soldiers under the present system are obliged to neglect their continuous military training?
§ Colonel SEELYThe whole question of employing men who have left the colours on the various duties referred to in lieu of serving soldiers has been fully considered on several occasions, and it has always been held that the cost would be too great.