§ 14. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Secretary of State for War why 300 Army chaplains are needed in 1921–22 to look after an establishment of 201,000 of all ranks, excluding India, whereas in 1914–15 only 117 chaplains were required for an establishment of 184,000?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe pre-War establishment of 117 Regular Army chaplains did not include those civilian clergymen, 40 or 50 in number, who were engaged to give their whole time to work amongst the troops and were paid the minimum rate for commissioned chaplains. These are included in the establishment of 300 for the Royal Army Chaplains Department shown in the Army Estimates for 1921–22. This figure represents the maximum number which may be employed, but on the 1st June the number had fallen to 260 and further reductions are being made. The scattered distribution of garrisons at home and abroad necessitates the employment of a larger proportion of chaplains than before the War.
§ Colonel ASHLEYThen making all the allowance that the right hon. Gentleman does in his answer, how is it that we have now got 100 more chaplains than before the War?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIt is largely due to the number of garrisons all over the world, and to the scattered nature of those garrisons.
§ Colonel ASHLEYMay I take it that it is the War Office policy as soon as possible to come down to pre-War conditions?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe War Office policy is to cut down any expenditure that is not absolutely necessary and this is an expenditure that I hope will be reduced.
§ Mr. ROSEDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that the moral and spiritual state of the Army justifies this very large expenditure on preaching?
§ Viscountess ASTORArising out of that—
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe appear to be getting into a Debate