§ Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many officers and men were serving in the Royal Navy on 30th June, 1939, or other latest date; what were the corresponding figures a year ago; and what are the relative figures for the Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, respectively?
§ Mr. ShakespeareThe number of officers and men, including the Royal Marines, serving in the Royal Navy on the 30th June, 1939, was 127,721; the corresponding figure on the 30th June, 1938, was 114,393.
The number of officers and men serving in the Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve increased by 3,638; it would not be in the public interest to reveal the strength of the various naval reserves.