HC Deb 14 July 1953 vol 517 cc1876-8
14. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for War the reason for the recent decline in the number of recruits for the Army.

Mr. Head

Last year's recruiting figures were the best we have ever had. One of the main reasons for this year's decline is that fewer men have been called up for National Service than last year and the field for recruiting has therefore been narrowed. There are many other factors which may have contributed, but their precise effect is hard to assess.

Mr. Hughes

Is it not true that Regular soldiers are not re-enlisting as the Minister wished them to re-enlist, and National Service men are not re-enlisting, and that we shall not be able to get the men and will have to reduce our commitments?

Mr. Head

The picture is not as gloomy as the hon. Gentleman paints it, but any assistance that he can afford me will be very welcome.

Mr. Nabarro

Does not my right hon. Friend consider it significant that a record low level of unemployment coincides with a record level of recruitment? Does not that belie all the fallacious Socialist propaganda that it requires unemployment to secure a high level of recruitment for the Regular Army?

Mr. Speaker

There is nothing about employment in the Question.

Mr. Wigg

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) is talking unmitigated nonsense and that the increase in the number of recruits in 1952, which everyone welcomed, was due to the fact that a number of National Service men were attracted by the differential in rates of pay, and to that reason only?

Mr. Head

My hon. Friend's contention is borne out by past recruiting figures in relation to unemployment. Regarding present engagements, it is an undoubted fact that men joining for National Service are attracted by the higher pay for an extra year's service.

Mr. Shinwell

Can we have the facts presented to the House? Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that the increase in recruitment last year was due to the short service engagement coming into operation? Will he also agree that the real trouble is that the men who have now enlisted for short service engagements are not prepared to extend their engagements for longer periods?

Mr. Head

We do not know about the extensions because no man has yet completed three years. It would be a little hazardous for me to express an opinion, but I have never denied that the increase in recruiting has been largely due to the short service engagement. I have always said so.