§ *SIR JOHN COLOMB (Great Yarmouth)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, before the War Office Vote is put down to be taken in Committee of Supply, he will furnish a Return showing the number and estimated cost of the staff proposed as the establishment for the United Kingdom under the scheme of Army reform, as compared with the number and cost of that establishment on 31st March last, distinguishing the number and cost of the headquarter staff at the War Office from that of Army corps areas.
§ MR. BRODRICKIt is not proposed to make appointments to any of the Army corps before October 1st, and until all the arrangements are completed, in- 893 cluding those for various measures of decentralisation which I intend to propose, I cannot give the Return desired.
§ *SIR JOHN COLOMBMay I ask whether, before the War Office Vote is taken, the House will be told to what extent the staff is to be increased, in view of the statement on the Estimates that the extent of the increase had not been settled.
§ MR. BRODRICKIt is not proposed to increase the strength of the staff of the War Office. As to the remainder, I may say that our labours are extremely heavy, and I may not be able to bring all these matters to a settlement before the War Office Vote.