§ The MARQUESS of LANSDOWNEI beg to ask the noble Earl the Undersecretary of State for War a Question of which I have given him private notice, arising out of a discussion that took place last night in regard to the Royal Artillery. The Question is whether His Majesty's Government are prepared to postpone any further reduction in the Regular Artillery until properly qualified men of the Special Contingent are available to take their place.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE for WAR (The Earl of Portsmouth)My Lords, I must express my thanks to the noble Marquess for having given me private notice of the Question. In reply I would beg to refer him to a statement which I made on July 24th of last year. I then said—
There will be no reduction in the artillery until trained Militiamen, liable to serve abroad, can take their place.Our policy in this matter has not changed, and we do not intend to make any reduction in the Regular Artillery until properly qualified men of the Special Contingent are available to take their place.