HC Deb 18 February 1930 vol 235 cc1192-4W
Major NATHAN

asked the Secretary of State for War whether and, if so, how far the Regular Army and the Territorial Force, respectively, are below establishment?

Mr. SHAW

The regimental establishments of the Regular Army (including India) and Territorial Army, and the

Regimental Establishment, Army Estimates, 1929. Strength on Regimental Establishment on 1st January, 1930.
Officers. Other Banks. Total. Officers. Other Ranks. Total.
Regular Army (British Troops). 10,240 188,216 198,456 9,762 179,495 189,257
Territorial Army (including Permanent Staff). 8,430 171,797 180,227 7,214 130,509 137,723

Major GLYN

asked the Secretary of State for War, what is the actual and the establishment strength of the British forces in India, Egypt, Malta, Gibraltar, the Far East, Northern Ireland, and Great Britain, respectively; how many recruits have been accepted during the last six months; and what proportion does this represent of the total number of men who offered themselves?

Mr. SHAW

As regards the first part of the question, the annexed table shows the regimental establishments for the stations in question included in Army Estimates, 1929, and the corresponding strengths on 1st September, 1929, just before the trooping season. As the trooping season is still in progress, it would be misleading to give figures of strength for a later date. As regards the remainder of the question, the number of applicants for enlistment in the Regular Army during the six months ended 31st December, 1929, was 32,749, of whom 11,963 were finally approved.

Station. Regimental Establishment as shown in Army Estimates, 1929–30. Strengths on 1st September 1929.
India 59,987 58,859
Egypt 10,073 7,920 (a)
Malta 4,791 3,565 (b)
Gibraltar 2,624 1,438 (c)
Far East—
China 4,035 6,469 (d)
Malaya 1,556 1,359
Ceylon 256 254
Northern Ireland 3,894 3,658
Other Home Stations. 102,724 96,134

strengths on 1st January, 1930, are as follow:

The reasons these strengths are above and below establishments are as follow:

  1. (a) Egypt.—Two infantry battalions and ancillary troops temporarily serving in Palestine, and one infantry battalion temporarily serving in China replaced by a Guards battalion from home.
  2. (b) Malta.—One infantry battalion temporarily serving in Palestine.
  3. (c) Gibraltar.—Two infantry battalions temporarily serving in China replaced by one infantry battalion from home on home service establishment.
  4. (d) China.—Two Colonial establishment infantry battalions from Gibraltar, one Colonial establishment infantry battalion from Egypt, and one infantry battalion from home and ancillary troops temporarily at this station in excess of the normal establishment.

Mr. ALBERY

asked the Secretary of State for War the establishment of the Territorial Force, officers and other ranks and the present strength; and the establishment of officers and other ranks of the Territorial Air Force and the present strength?

Mr. SHAW

As regards the first part of the question, the establishment of the Territorial Army (including Permanent Staff), as shown in Army Estimates, 1929, was 8,430 officers and 171,797 other ranks, and the strength on 1st January, 1930, was 7,214 officers and 130,509 other ranks. As regards the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air informs me that the establishment of the Auxiliary Air Force is 125 officers and 766 other ranks and that the strength on 7th February was 100 officers and 718 other ranks.

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