§ We have suffered, however, from the increase in prices. I might illustrate the effect of this increase by pointing out that, the cost of an infantry battalion at home has gone up by £1,300, and the cost of a regiment of cavalry at home. has gone up by £1,170. This increase is due to the higher cost of provisions, forage and clothing.
§ Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLESince the War?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSYes. Let me make it clear. In the Estimate for this next year I have to allow for the increased cost of food, clothing and forage, which brings the additions to the cost of an infantry battalion or of a regiment of cavalry to what I have stated. The ration is estimated at 3d. more per day, and the current ration allowance, based on retail prices, is 1d. per day more than it was a year ago. The annual cost of clothing of an infantry soldier is estimated for next year at £9 15s. 11d., as compared with £9 4s. 8d. a year ago. For a recruit in his first year the estimate is £12 15s. 3d., as compared with £11 19s. 6d. a year ago. Turning to the actual heads of the Estimates, the most noticeable variation, compared with last year, is an increase of nearly £700,000 under Head I. This is mainly accounted for by the fact that we have now, under the Dawes Scheme, to pay Germany for certain services formerly rendered free, the bulk of which are chargeable to this Head. There is, however, a corresponding increase in the Appropriation-in-Aid for the Army Vote from the Dawes annuity. This is allowed for under Head VT, so that the variation is really one of bookkeeping.