§ 40. Mr. G. WHITEasked the Secretary of State for War what is the size and cost of the Army to-day, what it was on 1st April, 1914, the total numbers and cost on both dates of the military and civilian staffs of the War Office, and the respective numbers of fighting troops?
§ Mr. WALSHAs the answer contains a great many figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Following is the answer:The total of Vote A and of Army Estimates respectively are 186,400 men and £28,845,000 for 1914–15, and 157,500 men (excluding Indian troops under the Air Ministry) and £45,000,000 for 1924–25. To the last figure should be added, for purposes of comparison, a sum of £398,000 borne on the Colonial Office Vote in respect of the Middle East garrisons.The total of the Regimental Establishments included in Vote A are 177,271 for 1914–15 and 147,940 for 1924–25.The figures for the War Office Staff, including financial staff at outstations, for the same years are:
| 1914–15. | ||
| Numbers. | Cost. | |
| £ | ||
| Military staff | 251 | 144,190 |
| Civilian | 1,611 | 306,000 |
| 1924–25. | ||
| Military staff | 402 | 340,000 |
| Civilian | 2,387 | 654,000 |