MR. PIKE PEASEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether recruiting for the Garrison Artillery has been checked during the last two years; whether there has been any reduction in the establishment and in the strength of the Garrison Artillery, respectively, in 1906 or 1907; and, if so, what has been the amount of such reduction.
§ MR. HALDANEThe standard of height of gunners for the Royal Garrison Artillery was raised one inch to 5ft. 8in. at the end of 1905, and lowered again to 5ft. 7in. in February last; this acted as a check on recruiting for this period. The 518 figures for establishment and strength are as follows for all ranks:—
| Establishment. | Strength on 1st April. | ||
| 1905 –6 | 22,851 | 1906 | 22,983 |
| 1906 –7 | 21,538 | 1907 | 20,112 |
| 1907 –8 | 19,677 |