§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if the promised annual economy of £1,600,000 in the administration of the Territorial Force compared to the superseded Auxiliary Forces is likely to be realised.
§ MR. HALDANEI have difficulty in following the comparison made by the hon. and gallant Member. The figure of £1,600,000 is presumably obtained by comparing the estimate of the cost of the Territorial Force shown in Cd. 3296 of last session presented in January, 1907, with the cost of the Militia, Yeomanry, and Volunteers as there shown. The hon. and gallant Member is doubtless aware that the Militia will not now join the Territorial Force. This comparison consequently no longer holds.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTDo I understand that there will be no economy whatever in the cost of the Territorial Force?
§ MR. HALDANENo, certainly not. On the contrary, as the hon. Member knows, if the Territorial Force is to be made thoroughly efficient, it will cost more. We are trying to make a real force of it and to provide real machinery, and that means expenditure.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTWill the right hon. Gentleman refer to the many speeches he made in this House in which he spoke of the greatly reduced expenditure?
§ MR. HALDANEI have always said that the Territorial Force, if it is to be a reality, meant more in actual cost, and I have put Estimates before Parliament which I think will be found to confirm that.