HC Deb 29 January 1930 vol 234 cc1020-1W
Mr. O. LEWIS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of officers and men, all ranks, in the navies of Great Britain, the United States of America, Japan, France, and Italy in July, 1924, and in July, 1929?

Mr. ALEXANDER

As regards Great Britain, the actual numbers borne were:

July, 1924 98,818
July, 1929 99,268

Figures of personnel for July, 1924, and July, 1929, for foreign Powers are not available, but the numbers voted for 1924–1925 and 1929–1930 are as follow:

1924–25. 1929–30.
United States of America 116,579 114,500
Japan 72,831 85,000
France 59,246 62,000
Italy 45,000 46,000

The figures are not strictly comparable, one of the principal points of divergence being that the figures for the United States include a complete Naval Air Service, constructor officers and civil engineers: in addition United States auxiliary craft are manned by active service ratings.