§ SIR HENRY TYLER (Great Yarmouth)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, and, if so, to what extent, it is proposed to make any practical reduction in the forces of the Royal Artillery in men, guns, or horses?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)The changes ordered in the establishment of the Royal Artillery have for their object the most effective organization of that Force for the defence of the Empire. Taking all branches of that Service there will be an increase, not a decrease, of 278 men. The apparent decrease in guns is 28, owing to the batteries not belonging to the First Army Corps being put upon a peace footing of 4 guns; but, in the event of war, they would be immediately expanded from the Reserve into 6-gun batteries. The diminution in the number of horses is 334; but corresponding additions have been, made to other branches of the Service, so that the total number of horses for the Army remains practically the same.