§ 52. Mr. Wiggasked 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 April, 1953, to 31st May, 1953; the 1156 number of such men transferred to the Army Reserve during the period 1st April, 1956, to 31st May, 1956; and the percentage who prolonged their Colour service.
§ Mr. HeadThe answer to the first and third parts of the hon. Member's Question is 3,376 and 5.1 per cent. respectively. That to the second part is not readily available, and I do not think that the clerical work required to obtain it would be justified.
§ Mr. WiggIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his figure of long engagements is most disappointing, in view of the increase in pay? Would he tell the House whether it will be possible to maintain the existing establishments if this trend continues, or whether the numbers of men serving on Regular engagements will continue to fall from this high mark?
§ Mr. HeadThe answer superficially may be slightly misleading because it does not include the 22/3 year engagement, which includes most of the men who meant to be Regulars. If they were included, the percentage would go up to about nine. Whether this is disappointing or otherwise after the increase in pay, the fact is that these are the men who were coming to the end of their three years' service, who had joined always intending to go out. I do not think that pay has had much effect on those joining for the lesser period. Therefore, I do not think it would be wise to make a firm deduction about the trend at this stage.
§ Mr. WiggDoes the Minister still hold to the idea that compulsory military service can be abolished if this trend continues?
§ Mr. HeadIt is a hypothetical question, but if National Service were to be abolished then ipso facto the number of three-year men would fall off steeply, and there would be a reduction in the number of three-year men and thus in the Regular Army.