§ Mr. BirchI have been asked to reply.
The new rates of pay have only been in force since 1st April. It is much too soon to reach any conclusions about their effect on recruiting, but present indications are encouraging.
§ Mr. DoddsWill the Minister say whether they are up to expectations so far? Does he think that further action will be necessary to reduce the period of National Service or to get rid of conscription altogether during the next two or three years?
§ Mr. BirchThe length of National Service is a different question. We have had these new rates only since 1st April and there have been the Easter holidays. I do not think it possible to draw a fair conclusion.
§ Mr. StokesMay I ask the Minister whether it is not the fact that in the last few weeks the Army intake increase has been 250 per week; that the Royal Air Force intake has been four times as great as last year, and the Navy now estimate that half the 10,000 people about to retire this year are signing on again? If he takes all those things into consideration, would not he agree that there is a case for reconsidering the whole question of National Service now?
§ Mr. BirchAs I said, the matter of National Service is a rather larger question. The figures given by the right hon. Gentleman are for some classes. Certain engagements have gone up and certain others have not.