Mr. Aclandasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the position with regard to recruiting in those Territorial formations responsible for anti-aircraft defence?
§ Sir V. WarrenderDuring the last 12 months the 1st Anti-Aircraft Division has risen from 522 officers and 6,600 other ranks to 666 officers and 11,145 other ranks, an increase of 71 per cent. It is now over 57 per cent. of establishment as compared with 37 per cent. a year ago. In the case of the 2nd Anti-Aircraft Division the same comparison cannot be drawn as a year ago it had not then been formed. The strength is now 737 officers and 12,712 other ranks, approximately 56 per cent. of establishment.
Last month was again a record for the Territorial Army as a whole, no fewer than 2,574 recruits having been obtained, an increase of 37 per cent. over the figure for October, 1936; of this number 1,129 were for anti-aircraft units.