§ Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNasked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of infantry depots on the Home establishment; the numbers of their total personnel and their annual cost; and whether any reduction of infantry depots has been considered?
§ Mr. SHAWThere are 62 depots for regiments of infantry of the line, one of which is a double depot for the two Rifle Regiments. The total authorised establishment of these depots is 441 officers, 4,490 other ranks, including attached personnel, and 253 civilians. The cost of a depot of the infantry of the line, as shown on page 293 of the current Army Estimates, is £14,500. The question of depot organisation has frequently been examined, but military, financial and administrative considerations render any scheme of reduction and amalgamation impracticable.