§ 43. Major GLYNasked the Secretary of State for War what were the authorised establishments and the ration strengths of the five regiments of Foot Guards, separately, on the following dates: 1st June, 1919, 31st December, 1919, and 1st June, 1920; whether the Grenadier and Coldstream Guards are now closed to recruiting, being up to establishment; and what special steps are being taken in Scotland, Wales and Ireland to obtain recruits for those regiments?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe answer to the first part of the question involves a lengthy statement of figures and, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. As regards the second and third parts of the question, the Grenadier Guards and the Coldstream Guards are not closed to recruiting, and no special steps are being taken in Scotland, Wales or Ireland to obtain recruits for these two regiments.
§ The following is the statement referred to: 1223
| AUTHORISED ESTABLISHMENT AND RATION STRENGTH, REGIMENTS OF FOOT GUARDS. | ||||||
| — | *Establishment. | Strength. | ||||
| Officers. | Other Ranks. | Total Ranks. | Officers. | Other Ranks. | Total all Ranks. | |
| 1st June, 1919. | ||||||
| Grenadier Guards | 106 | 3,096 | 3,202 | 220 | 3,258 | 3,478 |
| Coldstream Guards | 106 | 3,098 | 3,204 | 237 | 3,694 | 3,931 |
| Scots Guards | 73 | 2,128 | 2,201 | 124 | 1,598 | 1,722 |
| Irish Guards | 40 | 1,124 | 1,164 | 90 | 955 | 1,045 |
| Welsh Guards | 37 | 1,064 | 1,101 | 71 | 761 | 832 |
| Guards Depot, Caterham | 3 | 6 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| 31st December, 1919. | ||||||
| Grenadier Guards | 106 | 3,096 | 3,202 | 107 | 1,789 | 1,896 |
| Coldstream Guards | 106 | 3,098 | 3,204 | 94 | 2,011 | 2,105 |
| Scots Guards | 73 | 2,128 | 2,201 | 74 | 935 | 1,009 |
| Irish Guards | 40 | 1,124 | 1,164 | 55 | 656 | 711 |
| Welsh Guards | 37 | 1,064 | 1,101 | 45 | 556 | 601 |
| Guards Depot, Caterham | 3 | 6 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| † 1st May, 1920. | ||||||
| Grenadier Guards | 106 | 3096 | 3202 | 96 | 2041 | 2317 |
| Coldstream Guards | 106 | 3098 | 3204 | 94 | 2325 | 2419 |
| Scots Guards | 73 | 2128 | 2201 | 54 | 1133 | 1187 |
| Irish Guards | 40 | 1124 | 1164 | 41 | 789 | 830 |
| Welsh Guards | 37 | 1064 | 1101 | 34 | 694 | 728 |
| Guards Depot, Caterham | 3 | 6 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
§ * Pending the fixing of New Peace Establishments, battalions of Foot Guards, on arrival from abroad, have been retained on War Establishments.
§ † Latest figures of "Strength" available.
§ Major GLYNI apologise for the bad drafting of my question. I intended to convey what steps are being taken to recruit Irish Guards in Ireland, Welsh Guards in Wales, and Scotch Guards in Scotland.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think the hon. and gallant Gentleman's bad drafting must be my excuse for asking for further notice.