§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give the actual figures at the present moment showing the shortage of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, re- 2265W spectivcly, of the Special Reserve; whether any of the twenty-seven extra Special Reserve battalions are up to strength; and what is the shortage of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, respectively, in these battalions?
§ Colonel SEELYThe figures for 1st July are as follows:—
— Establishment. Strength. Deficiency. Officers. Men. Officers. Men. Officers. Men. Special Reserve 2,843 80,860 2,082* 57,153 761 23,707 74 Special Reserve Battalions 1,924 42,928 1,155 35,016 769 7,912 27 Extra Reserve Battalions‡ 783 20,250 391 12,591 392 7,659 2,707 63,178 1,546† 47,607 1,161 15,571 * Includes 488 Officers on unattached list, battalions are up to establishment. † Includes 69 Officers on unattached list. ‡ None of these battalions are up to establishment.
§ Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYasked the Secretary of State for War whether the shortage in the rank of captains in the twenty-seven 4th battalions, Special Reserve, is due to the fact that no subalterns are qualified by examination for promotion to the rank of captain; and, if this is not so, if he will give the number of subalterns who are qualified by examination for promotion to the rank of captain, as well as the number of subalterns who are not so qualified?
§ Colonel SEELYThe precise information required is not available at the War Office, and can only be obtained by calling for detailed reports from the various commands. The information required shall be forwarded to the hon. Gentleman in due course.