HC Deb 23 February 1949 vol 461 cc1855-6
50. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Minister of Defence what was the total expenditure on recruiting campaigns in 1948; and what was the cost per recruit obtained.

Mr. Alexander

The figures requested by my hon. Friend are being worked out and I will communicate with him when they are available.

Mr. Hughes

Will my right hon. Friend look into the question of the cost of some of these recruiting displays; and will he tell us what disciplinary action he is taking against the Secretary of State for War for speeches calculated to hinder recruiting?

Mr. Alexander

The question put by my hon. Friend raises an administrative matter for which the Service Ministers themselves are responsible to the House.

Colonel Ropner

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in some recruiting areas the cost per head for recruits amounts to nearly £8? Does he not think that a more practical demonstration of goodwill by the Government to the Territorial Army by providing proper equipment and accommodation would be better than many of these social functions?

Mr. Alexander

I should say that that ought to be raised on the Estimates of the War Department. I would say at once, however, that there might be some local circumstance of the kind which the hon. and gallant Gentleman mentioned but the general cost over the country is certainly nowhere in the region of that figure.