§ 29. Mr. Bellengerasked the Secretary of State for War what economies in military personnel will be made in Kenya due to the withdrawal of troops from active operations.
§ Mr. John HareIn anticipation of the withdrawal of the Army from active operations in Kenya, British troops in the territory have been progressively reduced during the last year by about 4,500. This process will continue. The House will, I 1535 am sure, join with me in paying tribute to the fine work of our troops, which has brought military operations to an end and made possible the withdrawal of Armed Forces.
§ Mr. BellengerThe House, of course, is not aware of how many troops there are in that area, as we have not had official information, but would it be correct to say that there are large numbers of troops out there who could very well be used, either for the strategic reserve—although that probably no longer exists—or to relieve reservists who have been called up to meet other obligations?
§ Mr. HareAs I said in my Answer, we are further reducing this force, and by April of next year the plan is to have about a battalion, with a few ancillary troops, in Kenya; that is all.