§ Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYasked the Secretary for War the number of recruits enlisted for the Territorial Army for a period of fours years' service for the years 1910, 1911, and 1912, respectively; and if he will give the number of non-commissioned officers and men who, for various reasons, have ceased to serve in the Territorial Army for the years 1910, 1911, and 1912, respectively?
§ Colonel SEELYThe figures for increases and decreases during the years in question are as follows:—
1st Oct 1909,to 1st Oct., 1910. 1st Oct., 1910, to 1st Oct., 1911. 1st Oct., 1911, to 1st Oct., 1912. Men enlisted 42,239 39,086 57,946 Men re-enlisted with previous service 3,391 2,203 3,198 Men left the force 48,682 43,938 63,678
§ Mr. BENNETT-GOLDNEYasked the Secretary of State for War the number of men of the Territorial Army who, for different reasons, have left the Territorial Army since the formation of the force without completing their full term of four years' service; and if he will give the number of those who have left after completing the full four years' period?
§ Colonel SEELYThere are no statistics available to enable me to give the required information.
Mr. F. HALLasked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the statement recently made by the Chief of the Imperial General Staff to the effect that the Territorial Forces were much under their proper strength; and, if so, what action is proposed to be taken to bring the force up to its requisite strength and efficiency?
§ Colonel SEELYThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the question the whole subject is now receiving very careful consideration, but I cannot conveniently make a statement on the matter within the limits of an answer to a Parliamentary question.