Written question asked by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 3 September 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 September 2008. It was answered by Derek Twigg (Labour) on Monday, 15 September 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Army: Manpower

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel were enlisted in the army at the latest date for which information is available.

Answer: [holding answer 10 September 2008]: As at 1 July 2008 the current strength of the Army was 108,750. This figure includes all trained and untrained personnel, Ghurkhas and full-time Reserve personnel. It excludes Army Reservists mobilised for service.Information on the strength of the Army is published by DASA in its monthly National Statistics release ““TSP3: UK Armed Forces Strengths and Requirements”” which can be found at:"http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/apps/publications/pubViewFile.php?content=50&date=2008-08-28&type=pdf."Due to ongoing validation of data from the Joint Personnel Administration System, Army strength statistics at 1 July 2008 are provisional and subject to review.

Secondary information