HC Deb 25 November 1946 vol 430 cc1252-3
46. Mr. Warbey

asked the Prime Minister whether he is yet in a position to announce the new targets for the total size of the Armed Forces which have been set for 31st December, 1946, and 30th June, 1947, respectively.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

I answered the first part of my hon. Friend's Question in the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 21st November. I am not yet in a position to announce target figures for 30th June, 1947.

Mr. Driberg

Can the Prime Minister say when he will be in a position to make the general statement which he referred to on that recent occasion, covering the three Services?

The Prime Minister

This week.

Sir Ronald Ross

Can the Prime Minister say when the House as a whole will be able to see what the defence position is? Will he also promise to consider that the Defence Minister, when he has been in office for some little while, should give an appreciation to the House, either on the Adjournment or on some other occasion?

The Prime Minister

That might be considered. It is always possible to raise something on the Adjournment. The obvious time would be on the Defence Estimates.