§ MR. HAROLD COXI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether Lord Roberts, on the conclusion of the South African War, proposed that a local force of 12,000 constabulary should be raised for the maintenance of order in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, to be paid for by the Colonies concerned; whether that force has since been cut down to 4,500 men or less; and, if so, 521 whether the reduction of this proposed constabulary force has had any effect in determining the magnitude of the military garrison maintained at the expense of the British taxpayer.
§ MR. HALDANEThe South African Constabulary is a force maintained entirely for police purposes. At the time of its formation in October, 1900, it was recruited, I understand, on the advice of Lord Roberts, up to a strength of 10,000. Since then the authorities in the Colonies concerned have reduced the numbers until they now stand at about 3,100.