§ *SIR C. W. DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War how many trained Cavalry horses in all, and how many over five years of age, are on the establishment in England and Wales as attached to the 10 regiments of Cavalry of the Line and 11 depots stationed in England and Wales; how many officers, warrant officers, and men there are in the same regiments and depots; whether the effective strength of horses on the British establishment is virtually the same now as it was 20 years ago, in spite of the great increase in the establishment of men in that period and the great increase of horses attached to the 549 Infantry and Army Service Corps; and whether, in consequence, the horses attached to the Household Cavalry, and to the Cavalry of the Line, Royal Horse Artillery, and Royal Artillery, on the Home establishment, taken together, have decreased within that period?
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN, Stirling, amp;c.)There are 3,712 public horses belonging to the 10 regiments of Cavalry of the Line and 11 depots stationed in England and Wales. Of these 306 rank as untrained, and 351 are under five years of age. There are 7,019 officers and men in the same corps, but 269 of these are officers, nearly all of whom have private horses. The establishment of horses for all arms on the British establishment, which includes the Colonies, is 268 below that of 1875. For the Household Cavalry, Cavalry of the Line, and Royal Artillery, taken together, serving at home, which is not the same thing as the British establishment, the decrease since 1875 is 2182. It is to be observed, however, the Artillery have now 253 more horses in Egypt and Natal than in 1875. The Cavalry have 258 more horses than in 1875, but 647 of their horses are in Egypt and South Africa; and 54 horses which used to be shown as Cavalry are now shown, where they are used, at the Royal Military College. This accounts for 954—of the apparent decrease the remainder is mainly accounted for by the decrease of Royal Horse Artillery effected some few years ago, and by other Artillery changes.
§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)asked whether there were not 13,000 Cavalry Troopers on the strength of the Establishment, and only 8,000 horses on which to mount them?
§ *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANreplied that he could not say. He could not accept figures he had had no opportunity of revising.