HC Deb 25 May 1908 vol 189 cc752-3
MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War how much money was spent on the re-armament of the Royal Horse and Field Artillery in 1905; by what sum the total Army expenditure of 1908–9 exceeds the total expenditure of 1905, after deducting the money spent for re-arming the Artillery; and by how many officers and men the Regular Army with the colours and the Militia have been reduced between October, 1905, and May, 1908.

MR. HALDANE

In giving these figures I must warn the right hon. Gentleman of certain points which might otherwise mislead him: (1) The expenditure on re-armament in 1905–6 has been replaced to the extent of over £500,000 in the Estimates of 1908–9 by expenditure on other armament services. (2) There is normally a fall in the strength of the Regular Army between October and May, owing to the trooping season. (3) The total expenditure includes the pay of reservists (increased by some 39,000 since October, 1905) and other important items which increase automatically without reference to the strengh of the Army. Subject to these points the figures are:—Expenditure on re-armament 1905–6, £1,478,000. Decrease in total Army expenditure after deducting this sum (expenditure on loans has been forgotten by the right hon. Gentleman), £429,000. Difference in actual strength between 1st October, 1905, and 1st May, 1908—Regulars: Officers, 431; men, 23,154. Militia: Officers, 237; men, 4,204. The Militia figures are taken up to 1st April, 1908, those for May not yet being available.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

Are we not spending more this year, apart from the expenditure on the Artillery, than in 1905, and are we not getting a very much smaller number of men?

MR. HALDANE

No. The right hon. Gentleman has forgotten that the decrease on the total Army expenditure is £429,000.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

If the figures are correct the expenditure for 1908–9 shows a reduction of £1,200,000 compared with 1905–6. But in that year the expenditure on artillery was £1,400,000, which gives a considerable balance in excess available this year as against 1905.

MR. HALDANE

But the right hon. Gentleman has forgotten there is a large expenditure on re-armaments and under other heads which bring about the increase.