§ 26. Sir FREDRIC WISEasked the Secretary of State for War the numbers and the cost of the British standing army in Egypt in 1914 and in 1926?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Captain Douglas King)The establishment of the British troops in Egypt and the Sudan for 1913–14 was approximately 6,300, and the cost as shown in the Army Appropriation Account was £643,127. For 1926–27 the establishment is approximately 12,400, and the estimated cost, as shown on page 256 of Army Estimates, 1926, is £2,677,800. The figures for 1926–27 cover an Infantry detachment of about 120 men stationed in Cyprus.
§ Sir F. WISEI gather from the figures that the establishment is up by 100 per cent., and that the cost is up by 450 per cent. Is there any chance of a reduction?
§ Captain KINGI do not gather that from the figures. The cost per man is certainly up just over 100 per cent. and not 450 per cent.
§ Sir F. WISEIs there any chance of a reduction?
§ Captain KINGI cannot hold out any hope of a reduction at the present time. We require this extra number of men for services in connection with the mechanicalisation of transport, and this does incur a heavier cost proportionate to the number of men.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman say why we require such a large number of men?
§ Captain KINGIt is a matter of policy.
§ Mr. THURTLEMay I ask whether this increase in the establishment and in the cost of maintenance is one of the advantages accruing to Egypt now that she has got self-government?
§ Colonel APPLINHas not the pay of the Army nearly doubled?
§ Captain KINGYes; that is certainly one of the reasons.