§ MAJOR HAYWARDasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in estimating the weekly cost of the 55,000 troops in Ireland on 22nd October, 1919, at £210,000, which is at a rate of about 10s. 11d. per day per head, the same items of cost were taken into account as in estimating the daily cost per head of the Army on 6th November, 1919, at about 16s. 8d. per head; and, if so, what is the cause of the difference?
§ Mr. FORSTERNo, Sir. The estimates are not on the same basis. The term "cost" of troops has different meanings, according to the context and the intention of the questioner. In giving the estimate of 16s. 8d. per head it was explicitly stated that this figure represented the current rate of Army Expenditure under all heads, divided by the numbers serving. The rate of 10s. 11d. per day was given in reply to a question which was understood to be addressed to the immediate possibilities of saving by the demobilisation of men, and represents only the rate of current expenditure upon the individual soldier. If there has been any failure to divine correctly what was in the mind of hon. Members in asking the questions, I can only express my regret.