§ 18. Mr. O. LEWISasked the Secretary of State for War how far the total number of all ranks of the Regular Army falls short of the establishment laid down?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. T. Shaw)The net shortage in the Regular Army, including the British Army in India, on 1st January, 1931, was approximately 380 officers and 9,700 other ranks.
§ Mr. LEWISCan the right hon. Gentleman give any explanation of why there should be such difficulty in obtaining recruits at a time when there are so many able-bodied people unemployed?
§ Mr. SHAWI have already stated on several occasions that there is no difficulty in getting men to offer their services to the Army, but the unfortunate fact remains that less than half of them prove to be physically fit.
§ Colonel ASHLEYCan the right hon. Gentleman explain why it is that there are more than 300 officers short?
§ Mr. SHAWI suppose there are many reasons, one of which is that there are not enough men prepared, from patriotic motives, to go into the Army in the rank of officers. There are other reasons as well, but I suppose I should take too long if I were to go into them.