HC Deb 12 November 1947 vol 444 cc379-80
50. Brigadier Head

asked the Minister of Defence whether, bearing in mind recent figures for voluntary recruitment and the future target strengths for the three Services, he is satisfied that the present scheme for National Service is that best calculated economically to provide balanced and well prepared Armed Forces.

Mr. Alexander

Yes, Sir.

Brigadier Head

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider the present targets and rates of recruitment in the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force such that they will have a surplus of National Service men in future; and does he consider that that surplus will be capable of absorption by the Army?

Mr. Alexander

I think I have already told the House that those points of difficulty are being examined. I do not think we can debate them at Question time. I hope we shall have them properly discussed on the Estimates.

Brigadier Head

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the problem of the future, as far as he is concerned, is likely to be, "What shall we do with the conscript soldier?"

Major Legge-Bourke

How is the right hon. Gentleman able to give the answer he has given to the original Question, in view of what the Secretary of State for War stated yesterday, namely, that the target for the voluntary recruitment for the Regular Army has not yet been decided upon?

Mr. Alexander

I do not think that cuts across it.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Could the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether Field-Marshal Montgomery consulted him before he made his recent speech in Glasgow on this subject?

Mr. Speaker

That does not arise out of this Question.

52. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Defence if he will estimate the required ratio of Regulars and National Service men in the Armed Forces to ensure adequate training for the Regular Forces and National Service intakes when the 1947 Act comes into operation.

Mr. Alexander

The target strengths for the three Services, and the ratio of Regulars to National Service men in each case, are now being worked out as part of the long-term plan for providing properly balanced Forces, to which I referred during the Debate on the Address on 27th October. I cannot anticipate the decisions on particular aspects of the plan.