§ COLONEL HOWARD VINCENTI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if, having regard to the infinitesimal proportion of mounted men in the Volunteer Force compared to the 200,000 Infantry, he will consider the desirability of increasing the number of the former by an addition to the ordinary capitation grant of say £5 a year, to cover the heavy expenses attending the provisions of horses?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe formation of mounted companies in the Volunteers was sanctioned on the understanding that no additional expense beyond that of Volunteer Infantry was to be thrown upon the public; and, inasmuch as in any scheme of mobilization for the defence of the country the Volunteers would form part of a conglomerate force, which is already amply provided with cavalry, I am not prepared to deviate from that principle.