§ 22 and 23. Mr. John Hallasked the Secretary of State for War (1) the essential minimum strength of a regiment of the Royal Horse Artillery, Royal Artillery, and Royal Armoured Corps; and how many regiments are up to, above, or below minimum strength;
(2) how many infantry battalions are up to the essential minimum strength of 800; and how many are above and how many below that strength.
§ Mr. ProfumoThe essential minimum requirement for a regiment varies according to its rôle. It would not be proper for me to disclose detailed figures, but I can say that as regards the Infantry, only five battalions are more than 10 per cent. below establishment, and as regards the other arms, only two regiments.
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§ Mr. John Hallasked the Secretary of State for War the essential minimum total strength of the Royal Corps of Signals, Royal Army Service Corps, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, and the whole of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers; and what is the shortfall in each case.
§ Mr. ProfumoI would refer my hon. Friend to my Answer to his Questions No. 22 and No. 23 today. There is no shortage in these corps.