§ MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)To ask the Secretary of State for War what are the numbers of men in the British, German, Austrian, French, and Italian Regular Armies, in peace and in war, respectively; and the peace Budget of each country.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold-Forster.) (1) Strength (all ranks) of the British. German, Austrian, French, and Italian Regular Armies:—
826 (2) The peace Budget of each of the above-mentioned countries: — British, 1904–5, £28,830,000; German, 1903–4, £31,880,455§; Austrian. 1903, £17,493,633; French, 1904, £27,053,196; Italian, 1903–4, £11,277,556.
Peace. War. British (1904–5) 217,000 300,000 about. †German 600,000‡ 3,224,000† about. †Austrian 325,245 2,000,000 about. †French 602,120‡ 3,200,000† about. †Italian 220,637 1,900,000 † The numbers shown under "War" include all men who have served in the Regular Army, and who could be called upon to rejoin that Army in time of War. ‡ Exclusive of Colonial troops serving abroad.