HC Deb 20 May 1947 vol 437 c2166
37. Mr. Spence

asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of the total Army grant is allocated to the T.A.

Mr. Bellenger

Approximately £6,150,000 net is provided in Army Estimates 1947-48 for expenditure on the Territorial Army, including the pay and maintenance of the permanent military staffs. This is about 1.6 per cent. of the total net money provision in Army Estimates.

Mr. Spence

Is this a definite decision, or a temporary one until the right hon. Gentleman can see how the matter develops? Could he say whether it is a final figure, or whether there may be an increase?

Mr. Bellenger

Like all Army Estimates, they only run from year to year, and are, therefore, I suppose, temporary.

Major Legge-Bourke

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that if the Territorial Army is to be responsible for the A.A. defence of the country, it ought to have a considerably higher proportion than has been allotted to it?

Mr. Bellenger

We have those matters fully in mind.