asked the Minister of Defence when he expects to be able to announce target strengths of volunteers for the three Services.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to his Question on 12th November.

Is it not about time that some target figures, if only of a temporary nature, were stated, in view of the fact that the Minister must know the rate of call-up and demobilisation during the next year? Would it not assist the recruiting campaign to give target figures up to the middle of next year?

It would be inadvisable to give really firm figures to the House in advance of the recommendations of the military authorities on the long-term programme.

As the right hon. Gentleman let the expression "target strength" pass, will he say what it means? Is it the same as establishments, or is it something different?

What I think my hon. Friend had in mind was the actual figure of men to be aimed at as a general standing strength of the Regular Forces in each case.