HC Deb 20 November 1928 vol 222 cc1543-4
47. Sir J. POWER

asked the Prime Minster the present total strength of the armed forces of the Crown, including Reserves and Territorials, now and on 1st July, 1914.

The PRIME MINISTER

My hon. Friend will appreciate that it is extremely difficult to give in a concise form figures which will reflect accurately the comparative strength of the armed forces of the Crown on the dates specified, having regard to the developments and changes which have taken place in the intervening 14 years, and in particular the emergence of the Royal Air Force as a third independent Service. In so far as personnel can be accepted as a gauge for this purpose, the approximate comparable figures are: —

1914 … … … … 940,000
1928 … … … … 674,000
The above figures cover all forces (including reserves and auxiliary forces) for which provision is made in the Estimates of the Service Departments.

Brigadier-General CHARTERIS

Is there any reduction comparable to that in the forces of the Allied and Associated Powers?

The PRIME MINISTER

I should want notice of that question.