HC Deb 14 December 1908 vol 198 cc1238-9
MR. ARTHUR LEE (Hampshire, Fareham)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his official estimate of £27 19s. 6d. as the total cost to the country of a Special Reservist from the date of enlistment to the end of his six months' training includes the expenses of permanent and instructional staff, and of barrack accommodation or other housing; and will he further state what items of cost his estimate does include.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. HALDANE,) Haddington

The estimate of £27 19s. 6d. includes barrack accommodation, clothing, pay, bounty, messing allowance, provisions, equipment, arms, ammunition, and charges for travelling, fuel and light, enlistment expenses, barrack stores and all other expenditure which can be regarded as personal to the man. It does not include any portion of the cost of the establishment of Regular soldiers assigned to a Special Reserve battalion.

MR. ARTHUR LEE

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what is the estimated total inclusive cost, per man per annum, of that portion of the Special Reserve which has concluded its preliminary training of six months, but which is still liable to be called up for service.

MR. HALDANE

The average cost of an Infantry private of the Special Reserve after his recruit year is about £9 a year.