§ 22. Major GLYNasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is yet in a position to make any statement on the relative strengths of certain Powers' military forces?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Captain Douglas King)The statement in question was circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT of the 11th instant.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs there stated in that Report the tremendous increase in the military forces of about 15 great nations, both in expenditure and in men?
§ Captain KINGIf the hon. Member will look at the statement, he will find it gives the numbers of the various forces and of the ancillary forces. I do not think it shows the money.
§ Mr. THORNECan the hon. and gallant Gentleman state whether there is an increase both in regard to men and expenditure?
§ Captain KINGI would require notice of that question.
§ 29. Mr. THURTLEasked the Secretary of State for War the effective fighting strength, according to the latest information available to his department, of the armies of the French and German republics, respectively?
§ Captain KINGThe authorised strength of the French Army, excluding reserves, is 654,000. The strength of the German Army is fixed by the Treaty of Versailles at 100,000.
§ Lieut. - Colonel Sir JOSEPH NALLCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman say what proportion those figures bear to the populations concerned?
§ Captain KINGNo, I am afraid I could not do that without notice.