HC Deb 06 June 1946 vol 423 cc371-2W
Mr. Callaghan

asked 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. Lawson

The figures of entries on normal Regular engagements and permanent commissions are as follow:

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