CAPTAIN TALBOTsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, If it is true that the Army is at the 1101 present time between 3,000 and 4,000 men below the strength provided for in this year's Army Estimates?
§ MR. CARDWELLSir, it is not true that the Army is at the present time between 3,000 and 4,000 men below the strength provided for in this year's Army Estimates. Until recently there has been an excess in the actual force over that voted in the Estimates. On the 1st of July the Indian Depôts, which are sometimes above and sometimes below their establishment, were in a deficiency of 1,057, which is being supplied as the depôts are being completed for the approaching reliefs. The hon. and gallant Member has probably been misled by the fact that the Army in India, which is not provided for in the Estimates, is at present below its establishment. Excluding India and the Indian Depôts, on the 1st of July the rank and file was as closely as possible at the establishment.