§ Brigadier Head29, 30 and 31. asked the Secretary of State for War (1) how far the recruiting figures now available for 1949 indicate that his forecast of 20,000 voluntary recruits in 1950 is likely to be achieved;
(2) what, based on present recruiting trends, he estimates will be the strength of the Regular Army in April 1951 and 1952, respectively;
(3) what is the minimum acceptable Regular proportion of the Army, expressed as a percentage.
§ Mr. StracheyMy estimate of some 20,000 voluntary recruits annually was based on the recruiting figures for 1949. It is too early to say from the figures so far available for 1950 whether this total is likely to be reached, and I cannot therefore usefully revise the estimate of 178,000, which I gave on 20th March, as the strength of the Regular Army in April, 1951. It would not be in the public interest for me to give an estimate for April, 1952. The minimum acceptable Regular proportion of the Army will vary from theatre to theatre and, within any one 3W theatre, between Arms of the Service, and it is not possible to give a single percentage figure.