HC Deb 14 December 1948 vol 459 cc1003-4
33. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for War the strength and dispositions by Commands at home and abroad of the Army on 1st October, 1921, and 1st October, 1922, and the latest date for which figures are available; and the number of Section A Army reservists who were serving with the Colours at home and abroad on these dates.

Mr. Shinwell

As the reply contains many figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Swingler

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he has studied these figures very carefully, and if he will consider, on this occasion, following the example of the War Minister of 1921—the present Leader of the Opposition—who, in the face of a grave international situation, when the country was on the verge of war in the Near East, managed to abolish conscription and reduce the Army to half its present size?

Mr. Shinwell

It is a very odd suggestion that I should be asked to follow in the footsteps of the right hon. Gentleman.

Following is the reply:

The distribution of all ranks by Commands at home and overseas on 1st October, 1921, and 1st October, 1922, is shown in the following table:

Command Strength as at 1st October 1921 Strength as at 1st Occtober 1922
Aldershot 11,774 14,898
Eastern 19,946 19,721
Irish 57,116 19,985
LondonDistrict 9,087 6,292
Northern 6,810 7,000
Scottish 5,030 5,349
Southern16,350 16,927
Western 4,415 4,540
Miscellaneous 335 485
Total at Home 130,863 95,197
Aden 941 1,325
Bermuda 569 539
Ceylon 169 257
Constantinople 4,715 19,188
Cyprus 118 102
Egypt 13,136 10,786
France and Flanders 420 —
Gibraltar 1,948 1,780
India 66,843 66,884
Iraq 9,618 3,576
Jamaica 777 572
Malta 1,997 672
Mauritius 124 136
North China 189 37
Palestine 3,384 417
Rhine 4,779 9,010
Silesia 4,974 —
South Africa 104 —
South China 1,014 1,175
Straits Settlements 901 1,011
West Africa 259 227
Miscellaneous 133 30
Total Abroad 117,112 117,724
Non-Regimental Employment—Various theatres 9,331 5,782
GRAND TOTAL 257,306 218,703
It is not the practice to disclose the number of troops serving in a particular area at the present time. It is not possible to say how many Section A Reservists were called up at this time.