§ Mr. HUNTasked how many officers and men of the National Reserve have been asked and how many have agreed to serve in case of war under Territorial officers, and non-commissioned officers?
§ Colonel SEELYNo official inquiry of the nature suggested has been made. It is understood that in some cases National Reservists have been approached on the initiative of county associations with a view to ascertaining their views on the matter, but no reports have been received from the associations concerned.
§ Mr. HUNTDid not the Secretary of State for War state that the whole National Reserve Force would be mobilised behind the Territorial Force? If so, how is that going to be done when the National Reserve has got no organisation, rifles or uniform?
§ Colonel SEELYI do not think that I can discuss the whole question of the National Reserve at question-time.
§ Mr. HUNTasked, in view of the fact that Lord Haldane stated at the Guildhall that the National Reserve was behind the Territorial Force and could be mobilised up to its full strength on a national emergency, how many of the whole number of the officers and men now registered in the National Reserve were between fifty-five and sixty years of age; how many were between sixty and seventy years of age; how many between seventy and eighty; and how many over eighty years of age?
§ Colonel SEELYOn the 1st January the National Reserve numbered 76,972, and of this total there were 16,964 who were either officers between fifty-five and sixty, or other ranks between forty-five and fifty-five. Officers over sixty and other ranks over fifty-five are registered as honorary members, and no record of their ages is kept. This class numbered 10,630.