§ Mr. Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Army's present strength.
§ Mr. BoydenThe strength on 1st December, 1966 was 179,227. This includes 159,541 soldiers which is an adjusted figure 963 below that announced on 18th January. This adjustment reflects a change in the book-keeping arrangements whereby junior soldiers over the age of 18 who are still at junior soldier training establishments, mainly Army Apprentice Colleges, have been transferred from the adult male other rank strength to the junior soldier strength. As these junior solidiers are not yet available for service in units, a more accurate picture of the effective strength of the Army is given by thus excluding them.