§ Mr. Johnasked the Minister of State for Defence (1) what additional officers and men will need to be recruited to implement the recent enlargement of the companies bearing regimental names to battalion strength; and what is the estimate of the additional cost of such extra manpower;
(2) what is the total extra cost of the recent announced enlargement of companies in the British Army to battalion strength; and whether such extra cost will be met within the existing Army 357W Estimates or will need a supplementary estimate.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithThe battalions will require about 2,600 extra officers and men and will cost about £10 million a year, apart from any capital cost of re-equipment in later years. Our ability to restore the companies to battalion strength is due largely to improvement in recruiting for the Army as a whole, which in itself may lead to a supplementary estimate.