HC Deb 03 May 1955 vol 540 cc1499-500
29. Mr. Wigg

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of men who enlisted on Regular engagements of three years with the Colours and four years with the Reserve during the period 1st November, 1951, to 31st March, 1952; the number of such men transferred to the Army Reserve during the period 1st November, 1954, to 31st March, 1955; and the number still serving with the Colours.

The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Antony Head)

Figures of prolongations in the form requested will, as stated, be available during the month of May.

Mr. Wigg

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he gave the House an assurance that the figures would be available in May and that I put this Question on the Order Paper many weeks ago? Is it the fact that the right hon. Gentleman is now concealing the information because it will reveal that his three-year policy has completely failed?

Mr. Head

I say again, as I have stated before, that the figures will be available during the month of May, as promised.

Mr. Shinwell

Is it not true to say that the number of men who are reengaging is declining, and can the right hon. Gentleman give the cause of that?

Mr. Head

I think that the right hon. Gentleman would do well to await the figures.

Mr. Shinwell

Surely the right hon. Gentleman has been long enough in his office to have the figures in his head.

Mr. Head

If the right hon. Gentleman had followed what the figures are about, he would realise that a special statistical research, which I am having carried out in order to make this matter abundantly clear, is necessary to arrive at them.

Mr. Wigg

Is it not a fact that the estimate of 33⅓ per cent. prolongations will not be realised by half, that the right hon. Gentleman is perfectly well aware of that fact, and that he is grossly deceiving the House?

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member should not say that another hon. or right hon. Member is grossly deceiving the House. It is out of order.

Mr. Wigg

I gladly withdraw, Mr. Speaker, and substitute that the right hon. Gentleman is fully aware of the information but chooses not to tell the House about it.

Mr. Head

I utterly and bitterly resent that. The hon. Member knows perfectly well that I have not received this information, and he knows perfectly well that he is not making a statement worthy of himself when he says that 33⅓ per cent. was a forecast. It was never a forecast. I have denied it time after time. It is an optimum.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we are delighted to see this new spirit, and that we hope it may do him some good in the Election?