HC Deb 22 December 1919 vol 123 cc1044-5W
Sir D. MACLEAN

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of men at present serving in the Army; in what countries they are at present stationed, and, if possible, the numbers in each country, respectively; how many of them are retained under the Military Service Acts, and how many are volunteers; haw many men have since the Armistice been discharged from the Army, and how many have been placed in Reserve Z; and what is the number of Indian troops chargeable to the Imperial Exchequer and where they are located?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The numbers of other ranks in all theatres and garrisons abroad and at home on December 1st, 1919, were as follows:

Theatre, Garrison or Country. Regulars, including men enlisted for 1 year and Volunteers for Army of Occupation. Demobilisable. Total other ranks.
Rhine (approx.)* 7,429 35,160 42,589
France and Flanders (approx.)† 34,260 13,740 48,000
Black Sea 2,194 10,817 13,011
Italy 600 2,475 3,075
Egypt 12,488 32,165 44,653
Mesopotamia 7,064 9,871 16,935
India (adjusted from 22 Oct.) 33,490 24,509 57,999
Colonies 7,452 1,464 8,916
Home 194,007 56,283 250,290
Totals 298,984‡ 186,484 485,464
* From Total Strength Return of 29th November, 1919.
†From Return of 1st November, adjusted up to let December, 1919.
‡This includes 71,137 other ranks who have enlisted for one year's service, or who have volunteered for service for one year with an Army of Occupation, nearly all of whom will become time-expired during the next three months.

The number of other ranks discharged from the Army (including the Royal Naval Division) since the Armistice is 201,221, and the number transferred to Class Z of the Reserve is 2,940,682.

The number of Indian troops chargeable to the Imperial Exchequer were on 1st November (which is the last Return available):

Rhine (Royal Artillery Drivers Royal Army Service Corps and Labour Corps.) 1,226
France and Flanders (Royal Army Service Corps and Labour Corps.) 7,090
Black Sea 14,131
Egypt 53,283
Mesopotamia 72,816
Aden 4,569
Other Garrisons 1,347
Total 154,462