§ 19. Mr. COUPERasked the Secretary of State for War whether the reorganisation of Territorial Army infantry into three rifle companies and one machine-gun company will involve reduction of establishment, and, if so, to what extent; and whether the mechanisation of Terri torial artillery will involve reduced establishment and, if so, to what extent?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSYes, Sir. In the former case the reductions in establishment will amount to approximately 50 men a battalion, and in the latter to approximately 2,200 in all.
§ Colonel WOODCOCKWhat does the right hon. Gentleman estimate will be the saving through this reorganisation; and is he going to start reductions in the establishment of units not fully complete or other units?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSAs regards the first part of the question, it is very difficult to give an answer. The process of mechanisation is, in itself, expensive, and I doubt whether there will be any net saving. As regards the latter part of the question, reduction in numbers will come from wastage. There will not be any reduction in existing numbers—that is to say, no one will be dismissed—but there will not be any replacements.