asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the number of cadets in training at Sandhurst for the years 1920, 1921, and 1922, and the average cost per cadet from Imperial funds for the same years?

The average numbers of cadets at Sandhurst during each of the financial years ending on 31st March, 1921, 1922 and 1923 were, respectively, 674, 671 and 658. The net cost per head was about £331, £320, and £312. I may add that from the 1st July, 1922, onwards, the fees payable by parents of new entrants were considerably raised: those for parents with no service claims are now £200 a year as compared with £75 previously. Economies in administration are also being effected. As these changes take effect, the net cost per cadet will be very considerably reduced.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Army Council have directed the closing of the Young Men's Christian Association and Church Army institutes which were provided for the benefit of the British Army of Occupation on the Rhine; what is the reason for this action on the part of the Army Council; and whether steps will be taken to cancel the order so that troops who are far distant from their homes may continue to have the benefit of these institutes for recreation and social intercourse?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. No such instructions have been issued by the War Office.

If local instructions of the kind indicated in the question have been given, were they not given under a misapprehension of the Army Council's instruction?

I am quite sure that no such local instructions have been given. There has been some difficulty about accommodation, but the Army authorities, have put no difficulties in the way.

Is it a fact that, on account of the lack of barrack accommodation, the Young Men's Christian Association have been given notice to quit; and would it not be a good thing if they could be allowed to remain?

The War Office has done everything to help them, but there is a difficulty as to whether we can requisition accommodation for this purpose. The question is being gone into in a very sympathetic way.

Are we to understand that the Young Men's Christian Association are responsible for the provision of barracks and not the War Office?

I do not think that any such suggestion has been made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, if his attention has been called to circulars which are being sent out by a particular firm, called the War Graves Wreaths Company, to the relatives of those who have sons and husbands buried in France and Belgium asking that they should forward 35s., when a wreath will be placed on the grave of their relative; and is it with the permission of the War Graves Commissioners that this company carries out the functions which it advertises?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, no special permission is required in order to lay wreaths on War Graves, and many relatives desire to have them laid. On the information before me, I do not think that any grounds for interference with the Company referred to are disclosed.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the resentment on the part of many relatives at the manner in which companies like this are not only exploiting the pockets but also the feelings of the relatives of those who are buried in those cemeteries?

I think it would be contrary to public sentiment to forbid the laying of these wreaths. Undoubtedly there is a very considerable response to the various organisations, apart from the activities of this company, who assist relatives in laying wreaths.

Would it not be better for the War Graves Commission to do this work instead of a private company?

The War Graves Commission could not possibly do it. It is very complicated work, and several organisations which went into it on approximately the same charges have had to drop it because they were making a loss.

They are making a profit out of the dead, just as they do out of the living.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the post of chief inspector of saddlery in Woolwich Dockyard is or is about to become vacant; and whether the intention is to appoint to this position a civilian who has first-hand knowledge of the duties to be performed?

The inspectorship of harness and saddlery is at present vacant. I am not at present in a position to say precisely how this vacancy will be filled, but it is probable that a candidate possessing experience of military saddlery and its practical use in the field will be required.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this post has already been allocated to an ex-officer without experience and who is now in receipt of a considerable and adequate pension?

Does the hon. Member say that the position has already been allocated?

Yes.

Then the hon. Member knows more than I do. My information is that it was not allocated this morning.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the War Office, before they, in 1912, reappointed McGrigor's Bank to be Army agents for 20 years, made any inquiries into the solvency of the firm or saw any accounts of the firm; who was responsible for the failure of the finance branch of the War Office to take any steps, either before or after 1912, to satisfy themselves as to the financial position of McGrigor's while allowing them to hold themselves out as Army agents; and whether, in view of the fact that the War Office have already admitted a moral obligation in the matter, they will increase the grant of 10s. in the already made to such an amount as, with the dividend payable in the liquidation of the firm, will amount to 20s.?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, the hon. Member will not expect me, at this distance of time, to allocate responsibility, if there was any, amongst my predecessors. With regard to the third part, I regret that I do not see my way to recommend that any increase in the ex-gratia grant of 10s. in the should be made. The matter has already been very fully discussed, and the Government consider that the grant authorised meets any moral responsibility incurred.

Do I understand that the responsibility for not finding out the financial position of McGrigor's rests with the Finance Department of the War Office?

As I said in my answer, it would be inadvisable for me to allocate responsibility for what took place years ago on any individuals then in my Department.

In view of the fact that the omission to inquire into the financial position of McGrigor's continued until quite recently, is it not possible to find out who is responsible?

The contract with McGrigor's was entered into in 1912 for 20 years. The Financial Secretary and the Secretary of State for War are, of course, responsible to this House for contracts of this kind.