§ 19. Brigadier-General COLVINasked the Secretary of State for War what was the total strength of the National Reserve before the War; what was their annual cost; and how many were re-enlisted for the War?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe strength of the National Reserve on 1st January, 1914, was 217,680 and the Estimates for 1914–15 provided £43,500 for 250,000. No figures are available at the War Office as to the actual number of re-enlistments for the War, but the number who had previously registered as undertaking to enlist on emergency either in the Regular Army or Territorial Force was about 150,000, and these men, in general, carried out their undertaking.
§ Brigadier-General COLVINIs there any intention of re-constituting the National Reserve?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI think that we had better deal with that tomorrow on the Estimates rather than today.