§ Brigadier-General NATIONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the advance of mechanisation and of the fact that approximately 10 officers, 5 warrant officers, 18 sergeants, 32 other ranks, and 89 civilians (whose salaries alone amount to about £20,000 per annum, apart from maintenance charges), together with 157 horses, are required for the instruction of a class of only 14 officers and 24 non- 2382W commissioned officers at the School of Equitation at Weedon, he will, in the interests of economy, consider the immediate closing down of that establishment and the disposal of the property?
§ Mr. COOPERThe present establishment is not larger than is required for training the instructors required in the cavalry and artillery to teach equitation in the mounted services and to supervise the breaking and training of the remounts of the Army. The question of reductions in the cost of the school is constantly under review in the light of the increase of mechanisation. I would point out that 15 non-commissioned officers borne on the establishment of the school are detached for duty at the Royal Military College and the Riding Establishment, Woolwich.