§ 43. Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Secretary of State for War by what number the Regular Army is now short of establishment; and whether he can give an estimate of the probable shortage at the end of the financial year?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaOn 1st November last, the Regular Army was deficient of 21,574 officers and men. If recruiting continues at its present rate, the deficit on the present establishment will have fallen considerably below this figure by 31st March next.
§ Sir A. KnoxDoes the reply mean that, in spite of easing the conditions and the strenuous advertising for the past seven months, the shortage has been reduced by only 700?
Mr. MacdonaldMay I ask whether the percentage in Lancashire is not higher than in the rest of the country?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI could not say off-hand. I should have to make a calculation.
§ Following are the figures:
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI do not think it means that. I have made a prophecy to the hon. and gallant Member that the shortage will be well under 20,000 by 31st March next, and I hope that my prophecy will be fulfilled.
§ Sir A. KnoxBut if the right hon. Gentleman's prophecy is fulfilled, does it not mean that the shortage last year has been reduced by only 2,000?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI do not know what calculations the hon. and gallant Member ismaking, but the answer I have given to the question shows that almost double the number of recruits have been obtained this year as compared with last. There is, of course, a run-out which is considerable.
§ Sir A. KnoxIs it not the case that the number of recruits obtained has only been sufficient to cover the run-out?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThat is not quite so. The position has improved, but the run-out has been greater this year than normally.