§ 12. Mr. Arthur Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for War the number of recruits who have joined the Regular and Territorial Army, respectively, since 1st January, 1938?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThe numbers of recruits finally approved for the Regular Army and Territorial Army from 1st January, 1938, to 31st March, 1939, were 49,415 and 104,890, respectively, as compared with 36,598 and 66,295, respectively, for the corresponding period 1937–38.
§ Mr. HendersonDo not these figures show that the young men of this country are conscious of their duty, and that the voluntary system has not been a failure?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThey show that there has been the increase which I have described. They do not show that the man-power is distributed in the best possible way, and that intensive training can be given to persons upon a part-time basis.
§ Mr. ThorneDoes the right hon. Gentleman not consider that they show the extraordinary way in which the young men have joined up, and if that rate of progress goes on is there any necessity for conscription?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI have already answered that question.
§ Mr. J. MorganIs there not a tendency for recruitment to be accelerated, even on those figures?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaYes, Sir.