§ Colonel BURNasked how many men presented themselves as recruits for the Territorial Force in 1909, 1910, and 1911; of these how many were rejected as medically unfit; whether all men serving in the Territorial Force are examined annually by a medical officer before proceeding to camp for the annual training; how many officers and men were absent without leave from the annual training in 1911; how many of the men have been prosecuted; how many of the officers are 186 still serving; and how many men now serving in the Territorial Force have qualified in musketry in 1911?
§ Colonel SEELYThere are no statistics available at the War Office of the numbers of men who presented themselves for enlistment or of those who were medically rejected. Men are not examined by a medical officer before proceeding to camp. Forty-one officers and 6,755 non-commissioned officers and men were absent without leave from the annual training in 1911. There is no information at the War Office to show how many of these officers are still serving or how many of the men were prosecuted. As regards musketry figures, I must ask the hon. and gallant Member to refer to the detailed replies given to questions on this subject put by the hon. Member for Canterbury on Monday, the 26th of last month.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of the question as to how many men now serving have qualified?
§ Colonel SEELYIt is all laid down in the Regulations how the men must qualify. They must qualify at full range if possible, and if not at the small ranges.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHDoes a man get the same certificate in either case?
§ Colonel SEELYI think so, but I should not like to answer all these technical questions. As the Noble Lord knows, the question of ranges is a difficult one.
§ Colonel SEELYOf course he has to let off his rifle.