§ Mr. ASHLEYasked the Secretary of State for War, with reference to the statement appearing in Appendix B of the recent Memorandum by the Army Council [Cd. 4811] that there were, in January, 1909, 94,256 regulars serving in the United Kingdom, and that the normal number was 92,534, whether a further reduction of 1,722 regulars was contemplated, or whether it was intended to increase the number of men serving abroad; and, if so, when?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe number 94,256 regulars serving denotes the number of men who were actually serving in the United Kingdom on 1st January last. The number 92,534 represents the normal number which it is actuarially calculated would be produced by the present peace establishment as available for service on mobilisation. It happens that at present the actual number of men available is slightly in excess of the actuarial forecast, but no reduction of regulars is contemplated, nor is it intended at present to increase the number of men serving abroad.