§ 47 and 48. Sir CHIOZZA MONEYasked the Prime Minister (1) if the number of married men's separation allowances paid was, on 22nd July, 843,000; if, by 1st September, after an interval of forty-one days, it had increased by only 14,000; and whether these facts point to a grave diminution in recruiting or to recent recruiting being mainly amongst unmarried men; and (2) if he will state, with reference to Lord Kitchener's statement on 9th July 561 that there had been a falling off in numbers in recruiting returns recently apparent, and the fact that on 15th September anxious thought was occasioned by the recent falling off in recruits, what has been the actual effective recruiting in the period of over two months referred to; and whether the falling off in recruits in the last few weeks before 15th September referred to a further fall below the decline described by Lord Kitchener on 9th July as having occurred and being then existent?
§ 49. Mr. G. TERRELLasked if the Government will now reconsider their policy and grant a Return of the number of recruits obtained from the different counties or districts of the United Kingdom and Ireland?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI will deal with these questions in the statement which in due course I shall make to the House.
§ Mr. HOGGEWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is not a fact that a great number of the married men in the ranks is due to the fact that they got married on enlistment?