HC Deb 06 August 1912 vol 41 cc2947-8W
Lord CHARLES BERESFORD

asked the number of lieutenants who have applied to leave the Navy; the number of continued service men who have left the Navy at the end of their first engagement since 31st March, 1910; and the number of men who have applied to leave at the end of their first engagement?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The number of continuous service men who left the Navy at the end of their first engagement during the period 1st April, 1910, to 31st March, 1912—the latest date for which figures are available—was 3,143. There is no information as to the number of men who have applied to leave at the end of their first continuous service engagement, but it may be observed that the Admiralty has no power to refuse such applications. It is not clear to what period the Noble Lord refers in the first part of his question, and I therefore cannot answer it. I must ask him to state his question in a more precise form.