HC Deb 19 October 1908 vol 194 c737
MR. ASHLEY

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War why 10,349 men of the Regular Army at home were classified as cavalry soldiers on 1st October, 1907, in view of the fact that there were only 7,412 horses and mules on the regimental strength of the cavalry regiments in this country.

MR. HALDANE

Every cavalry regiment has an establishment of men in excess of that of horses—and this is the case in foreign armies. The peace establishment of horses is practically identical with the war establishment. The peace establishment of men includes recruits and other persons who for obvious reasons do not require individual mounts. The men are, however, all being trained as cavalry soldiers, and therefore are rightly classified as such.

MR. ASHLEY

But in foreign armies are there only two horses for every three men?

MR. HALDANE

I do not think that arises out of the Question on the Paper.