Mr. ROBINSONasked the Secretary of State for War seeing that the colonel-commandant of the school of equitation is also inspector of cavalry, what time is spent at the school and what time is spent inspecting the 8,339 officers and other ranks in the cavalry on the establishment of the British Army?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON - EVANSThere is no definite allotment of this officer's time between his respective duties, but, as inspector of cavalry, he is required to inspect all regular cavalry regiments in Great Britain and on the Rhine twice annually, to visit each yeomanry regiment during its annual training and to attend the collective training of the cavalry during divisional and Army manoeuvres.
Mr. ROBINSONasked the Secretary of State for War, seeing that there has been a large reduction in the number of cavalry in the British Army, if he will close the school of equitation and effect a saving of at least £25,000 a year, after allowing for such increases as may be necessary to provide for the training of cavalry and artillery instructors in equitation and skill at arms at the riding establishment, Royal Artillery?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI am unable to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion or to accept his contention that the closing of the school would effect a saving of £25,000 a year after providing for suitable arrangements elsewhere. But the hon. Member will see from the Estimates of recent years that the reduction of the school is constantly under review in the light of reductions in the cavalry and the increase of mechanisation.