BRITISH ARMY’S STRENGTH

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25737, 24 February 1949, Page 5

BRITISH ARMY’S STRENGTH

REDUCTION OF 300,000 ANNOUNCED LONDON, February 22. The Secretary of State for War (Mr E. Shinwell), in a memorandum submitted with the Army Estimates for 1949-50, announces a reduction in the Army strength from 850.000 officers and other ranks to 550,000.

The British garrisons’ in Europe, including the United Kingdom, will drop from 420,300 to 337,100, and those outside Europe from 114.100 to 79.200. Mr Shinwell’s announcement arose out of the White Paper on the Service Estimates published on February 15. This showed that the Army would spend £304.700.000 in the coming financial vear compared with £305,000.000 in 1948. Mr Shinwell said that even with the extension of national service to 18 months the Army was stretched to the limit to carry out essential tasks. He said that there was still a great need for volunteers to fill the large gap in the regular establishments caused by the virtual stopping of regular recruitment during the war. The .shortage of experienced men and specialists was noticeable in the technical branch which, however, as a result of measures taken during last year had obtained 200 per cent, more recruits than during 1947. He added that long-term research by the Ministry of Supply would make it possible to produce weapons and equipment much in advance of the existing types. For the last three years the Army had been equipped and maintained largely from wartime stocks, but as these deteriorated further expenditure on new equipment and vehicles would have to be stepped up sharply. The general standard of Army accommodation was still far from satisfactory and there were building programmes for home and overseas.