Oral Answers to Questions — Bulgaria (Military Strengths)

– in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 17 Rhagfyr 1947.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr Tufton Beamish Mr Tufton Beamish , Lewes 12:00, 17 Rhagfyr 1947

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present strength, shown separately, of the Bulgarian Army, the militia, the labour battalions in recepit of any form of military training or under military discipline, and of any other military or semi-military units or organisations in Bulgaia; and whether His Majesty's Government have full details of the training and equipment of all such units and formations.

Photo of Mr Ernest Bevin Mr Ernest Bevin , Wandsworth Central

Our estimates of the present strength of military and semi-military units and organisations in Bulgaria are as follow: Army.—76, 000.Frontier guards.—10,000.Militia (which is a police force).—80,000 to 100,000.Labour battalions (who receive little serious military training and whose strength fluctuates according to season).—40,000 to 80,000. The Bulgarian Government were asked last October for details of strengths, training and equipment but have not yet furnished this information.

Photo of Mr Tufton Beamish Mr Tufton Beamish , Lewes

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that the figures he has given the House make very disquieting comparison with Article 9 of the Peace Treaty with Bulgaria, which limits the Armies to 55,000, and Articles 10 and 11 which insist that any personnel in excess of this figure should not be in receipt of any military training and should be disbanded by March?

Photo of Mr Ernest Bevin Mr Ernest Bevin , Wandsworth Central

Yes, Sir, I quite agree with that.