§ 9. Mr. Lewisasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what marked deficiency there was in the numbers of young Regular officers, senior non-commissioned officers and technicians in October, 1951, in the Army and in the Royal Air Force; and to what extent this deficiency has been made up during the last 12 months.
§ Mr. BirchIn October, 1951, there were in both Services considerable deficiences in the categories referred to by the hon. Member. In October of this year, apart from a distinct improvement in the number of young Regular officers in the Army, these deficiencies still existed in relation to the total size of the Services.
§ Mr. LewisWill the Minister have a look at "Britain Strong and Free"?—because it is stated there quite categorically that when the Tory Party get back they will be able to put all these things right. They have been in office for over 12 months and it appears that they have done nothing about it.
§ Mr. BirchA very great deal of progress has been made. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said, the teeth have increased in proportion to the tail of the Army, and the same is true of the Air Force.
§ Captain PilkingtonIs it not time that the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Lewis) changed his gramophone record and paid some tribute to the magnificent achievements of this Government?
§ Mr. BirchPersonally, I think the more hon. Gentlemen opposite read "Britain Strong and Free" the better.
§ Mr. ShinwellOn a point of order. Is it permissible for an hon. Member to direct a question across the Floor of the House to another hon. Member?
§ Mr. SpeakerIn form the question was addressed to me, but I am very glad that the responsibility of answering it was taken by somebody else.