HC Deb 16 February 1954 vol 523 cc1784-5
2. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence if he will now give an estimate of the approximate size of the armed forces of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Communist countries similar to the estimates provided by the Minister of Defence in justification of our rearmament programme in 1951.

Mr. Birch

Since 1951, the combined strength of the armed forces of the Soviet Union has increased by 150,000 to 4,750,000, and that of the Eastern European satellites by nearly 120,000 to about 1,190,000. The Soviet increase is mainly due to the growth of the Navy. China has armed forces totalling over four million. In addition there are six to 10 million men in the militia.

Mr. Hughes

Can the Minister tell us this: as a result of all our rearmament during the last three years, we are relatively stronger?

Mr. Birch

Yes. We have something approaching a realistic defence, which we did not possess before.

Captain Duncan

As my hon. Friend has given the figures for men, could he give the figures for naval ships and submarines?

Mr. Birch

Not without notice.