§ 86. Commander Nobleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the estimated number of Regulars in the Royal Navy on 1st March, 1948, 348W and 1st March, 1949; and what is the estimated entry of men called up in 1948, and of National Service men in 1949.
Mr. DugdaleIt is estimated that the number of Regular male officers, ratings and other ranks in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines on 1st March, 1948, will be approximately 116,000. As stated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence on 10th December, the strengths of the Forces in the financial year 1948–49 are still under discussion in connection with the Service Estimates. This applies equally to the allocation of National Service men to each Service.