§ 2. Mr. Dayasked the Secretary of State for War the establishments of the Regular Army, Territorial Army, and Reserves as at the last convenient date, and the figures for the comparable period in 1914?
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Hore-Belisha)As the answer contains a number of figures I will, with the hon. Gentleman's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. DayWill the figures which the Minister is going to circulate show the absolute minimum requirements for the defence of the Empire?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaYes, Sir.
§ Following is the answer:
| — | Establishment. | ||
| 1st April, 1914. | 1st April, 1938. | ||
| British Troops, exclusive of India and Burma:— | |||
| Regimental, Staff and Miscellaneous Establishments | … | 168,762(a) | 161,451(b) |
| Colonial and Indian Troops | … | 8,771 | 5,249 |
| Army Reserve | … | 147,000 | 142,500 |
| Supplementary Reserve (including Permanent Staff) | … | — | 56,465 |
| Special Reserve (including Regular Establishment) | … | 81,097 | — |
| Militia, etc. (including Permanent Staff) | … | 6,246 | 1,132 |
| Territorial Army (including Permanent Staff) | … | 315,485 | 203,899 |
| Officers Training Corps (Officers and Permanent Staff) | … | 1,110 | 1,049 |
| (a) Excludes additional numbers (3,300), Royal Flying Corps (1,429) and Central Flying School (103). | |||
| (b) Excludes additional numbers (779). |