§ Mr. LOUIS SMITHasked the Secretary of State for War what is the present shortage in the regular forces as a result of unsatisfactory recruiting returns; how many men have offered their services in each of the past 12 months; and how many have been rejected as physically unfit?
§ Mr. SHAWThe net shortage of warrant officers, non - commissioned officers and men in the Regular Army, including the British Army in India, on 1st November was approximately 8,700. As regards the second and third parts of the question, records are not available at the War Office to show the number of recruits rejected month by month on medical and physical grounds, but the total number of persons served with notice papers during the recruiting year ended 30th September last was 66,717, of whom 26,550 were finally approved. 35,425 were rejected on medical or physical grounds.