HC Deb 22 October 1919 vol 120 c17
19. Mr. MITCHELL

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention had been drawn to the promise made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget Speech of making substantial reductions of the war service next year; and whether his Department was taking steps to realise that aspiration?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Yes, Sir; and I hope to give the House shortly some fairly detailed indications of the scale and cost of the Army in the financial year 1920–21. I may say at once, however, that, owing to the complete demobilisation of the great War Armies and the payment of war charges attendant thereupon during the course of the present year, the total expense next year will certainly be less than one-fifth of the present gross cost.