HC Deb 24 October 1968 vol 770 c371W
Mr. Longden

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what were the respective strengths of the Royal Navy, the

Royal Navy Royal Marines Army R.A.F. Total
REGULAR FORCES
October, 1964
Men (including Junior Servicemen) 86,016 9,348 186,894 127,252 409,510
Women 3,461 6,520 5,656 15,637
October, 1968 (approximate figures)
Men (including Junior Servicemen) 80,587 8,855 180,709 110,918 381,069
Women 3,668 5,700 5,199 14,567
RESERVE FORCES
October, 1964
Men 7,826 968 117,784* 1,358 127,936
Women 1,020 4,796* 140 5,956
October, 1968 (approximate figures)
Men 7,000 900 50,350* 1,000 59,250
Women 900 1,800* 100 2,800
* These figures are not directly comparable as the 1964 figures relate to the Territorial Army and the Army Emergency Reserve; the 1968 figures relate to the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve which replaced the earlier reserves on 1st April, 1967, see Chapter V of the Statement on the Defence Estimates (Cmnd. 3203).

Questions relating to Civil Defence are the concern of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and should be addressed to him.