§ Mr. Callaghanasked the Prime Minister whether the Government still expect to reduce the size of the Armed Forces to 1,100,000 by 31st December next.
§ The Prime MinisterThe estimate of the strength of the Armed Forces on 31st December, 1946, given in the White Paper (Cmd. 6743) was based on the expectation that a number of abnormal commitments arising from the war would be liquidated by the end of the year. Whilst certain of these commitments will be reduced, it is already evident that the liquidation of others by the end of the year will be impracticable. Consequently, the target of 1,100,000 at the end of the year will not be achieved. It is not yet possible to state precisely the extent to which the strength of the Armed Forces will exceed this figure at the end of the year.