§ 47. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Defence when he expects to be able to announce target strengths of volunteers for the three Services.
§ Mr. AlexanderI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to his Question on 12th November.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs it not about time that some target figures, if only of a temporary nature, were stated, in view of the fact that the Minister must know the rate of call-up and demobilisation during the next year? Would it not assist the recruiting campaign to give target figures up to the middle of next year?
§ Mr. AlexanderIt would be inadvisable to give really firm figures to the House in advance of the recommendations of the military authorities on the long-term programme.
§ Mr. KeelingAs the right hon. Gentleman let the expression "target strength" pass, will he say what it means? Is it the same as establishments, or is it something different?
§ Mr. AlexanderWhat I think my hon. Friend had in mind was the actual figure of men to be aimed at as a general standing strength of the Regular Forces in each case.