§ 39. Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for War the total number of troops in the four divisions in Germany; and to what this number will be reduced when those divisions have been revised in the light of modern fire power.
§ Mr. StokesCan the Minister tell us whether anything has been done? If there has, there do not seem to be any visible signs of it. The numbers in the Army seem to stay up. Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any notice of the change in fire power?
§ Mr. HeadThe Army, as the right hon. Gentleman will no doubt recollect, is running down at the rate of 30,000 a year over a two-year period.
§ Mr. ShinwellBut will the Secretary of State take note that, although we are committed by the Paris Agreements to provide four divisions, we are also committed, as an alternative, to provide the equivalent in fighting power? In view of that, is it the intention of the Government to make the necessary adaptation?
§ Mr. HeadIt is not for me, I think, to discuss future policy in this matter. That rests on many considerations outside my Department. I can tell the right hon. Gentleman, however, that all the latest methods and considerations of modern warfare are being considered in this respect.
§ Mr. StokesThen, as a result of this consideration, may we expect a considerable running down of the number of men in the division?
§ Mr. HeadSo far as that is concerned, I think that the right hon. Gentleman had better wait and see.