§ MR. GUY BARING (Winchester)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the cost of the men on the Regular peace establishment of the Army, exclusive of India, serving with the colours or in Section A and B of the Army Reserve, has been or will be reduced under the new scheme; and, if so, by what amounts in each arm, and how is the reduction accounted for.
§ MR. HALDANEEliminating the Special Contingent, the cost of Regular soldiers serving with the colours and in the Reserve is unaffected by the new scheme. If it should be ultimately decided to obtain a larger Reserve by a shorter colour service of a portion of the Horse and Field Artillery, this will reduce the coat of the Regulars of that 1407 arm on mobilisation from £74 17s. 4d. to £63 17s.6d.
§ Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTERAm I right in understanding that the Return recently issued does not include any reduction whatever on the cost of the men now serving?
§ MR. HALDANENo, it does not include any reduction on the cost of the men now serving, but the Special Contingent are taken into account in estimating the cost.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThen the Special Contingent has not been included as a separate item?
§ MR. HALDANENo, it is taken into account.