§ 12. Brigadier-General NATIONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether there has been a further decline in the strength of the Regular Army at home and the Territorial Army since the 1st March; rand, if so, will he state what the total deficiency in earth is at the present time?
§ Mr. WOMERSLEY (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. The 1st June figures for the Regular Army show an increase of 1,100 over the 1st March. In the Territorial Army there is a reduction of 2,500. The total deficiencies on 1st June were Regular Army 9,100, Territorial Army 41,800.
§ Brigadier-General NATIONAre not steps being taken to increase the Territorial Army in view of the deficiency in recruitment?
§ Mr. WOMERSLEYI can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that my right hon. Friend has this matter under careful review and is giving it every consideration.
Captain WATTDoes my hon. Friend not think that the Government can do more in conjunction with the employers' organisations to encourage recruitment for the Territorial Army, which is the best insurance which this country has at the present time?
§ Mr. WOMERSLEYIt is not my duty to express an opinion, but I will certainly convey that question to my hon. Friend.