Captain CRAIGasked whether the hon. Gentleman is aware that the establishment of horses maintained in training brigades, Royal Field Artillery, is quite inadequate to carry out training in an efficient manner; whether any steps are being taken to increase the establishment so that at least partially efficient training may be given to non-commissioned officers and men; and whether he can state the establishment of horses in the Royal Field Artillery serving in the United Kingdom on 1st October, 1907, and 1st October, 1909, respectively, and the actual strength in horses on those dates?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe present establishment of 141 horses of a training brigade is considered sufficient, and no increase is contemplated. The figures asked for in the last part of the question are as follows:—
Establishment. Strength. 1st October, 1907 … 6,820 … 6,423 1st October, 1909 … 6,560 … 6,241
Captain CRAIGHas there been any reduction in the supply of horses since the alteration from 6-gun to 4-gun batteries?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe establishment has been reduced from 6,820 to 6,560 on the dates named.