§ Mr. Callaghanasked the Secretary of State for War the annual number of volunteers and the annual size of all three Services for the years 1929 to 1939.
§ Mr. LawsonThe figures of entries on normal Regular engagements and permanent commissions are as follow:
372W
R.N. and R.M. Financial Year. Army. R.A.F. Calender Year. Entries. 1929 2,922 1928–29 30,717 3,230 1930 2,884 1929–30 26,750 3,830 1931 3,317 1930–31 32,146 3,110 1932 4,327 1931–32 29,211 2,870 1933 6,622 1932–33 31,253 1,320 1934 7,745 1933–34 26,045 1,870 1935 8,466 1934–35 26,830 4,070 1936 11,900 1935–36 23,955 14,600 1937 16,291 1936–37 23,518 12,220 1938 16,218 1937–38 30,235 15,870 1939 18,458 1938–39 39,653 34,330 The figures for strengths are as follows:
Strength at end of financial year(i.e., at 31st March). Mean strength during financial year. R.N. and R.M. Army. R.A.F. 1929 99,653 205,062 30,600 1930 96,843 197,480 31,300 1931 93,605 198,168 32,200 1932 91,135 197,377 32,500 1933 89,214 200,964 31,600 1934 90,295 200,590 30,700 1935 91,927 203,147 30,900 1936 97,312 199,940 38,000 1937 101,886 196,533 50,700 1938 111,810 198,806 62,400 1939 122,512 206,829 82,700