§ MR. ASHLEYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what was the total strength, all ranks, of the thirty-three batteries now used as training batteries on 1st October, 1907, and on 1st May, 1908; and what was the number of horses in those batteries on the dates mentioned.
§ MR. HALDANEThe figures are as follows:—
The men represented by the difference in the numbers have been posted to the service batteries so as to make room for the men of the Special Reserve to train.
1st Oct., 1st May, 1907. 1908. Strength (all ranks) 4,545 3,406 Horses 1,818 1,464
§ MR. ASHLEYDo these figures support the contention of the right hon. Gentleman that there has been no reduction in the strength of the Field Artillery?
§ MR. HALDANEMost certainly they do. The right hon. Gentleman is under a misapprehension in thinking that all the batteries said to exist in 1899 actually existed. Many were on paper only and I am busy now raising the force to its proper strength.
§ MR. ARTHUR LEE (Hampshire, Fareham)Do I understand that the 1,140 men who constitute the reduction have gone to other service batteries?
§ MR. HALDANEI have not reduced a single Regular, nor shall I do so until I have four or five to take their place, which may not be for some time.