HC Deb 18 July 1956 vol 556 cc1209-11
42 and 43. Mr. George Craddock

asked the Minister of Defence (1) if Her Majesty's Government will now make arrangements to abolish National Service in 1957; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if Her Majesty's Government will now undertake to reduce the period of National Service in the autumn of this year; and if he will make a statement.

44. Mr. Allaun

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent proposals for reducing or ending National Service are mainly contingent on increasing the number of Regular Service men.

52. Mr. Stokes

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will make a statement about the policy of Her Majesty's Government for ending National Service.

56. Mr. Hunter

asked the Minister of Defence, in view of the improved international situation, whether the Government will reduce the length of National Service this year.

The Minister of Defence (Sir Walter Monckton)

As I have previously explained to the House, the factors which determine whether any changes can be made in our National Service policy are the prospects of Regular recruitment and the level of the commitments which the Services have to perform. I have no statement to make at present.

Mr. Craddock

If I am not putting the Minister and the Government under too much strain, may I ask if it is not time that the House heard considered plans by which this matter could be resolved, to the benefit of the men and the economy of the country?

Sir W. Monckton

I have no complaint of the way in which the hon. Member was good enough to phrase his question. I think it would be premature to form a judgment about what ought to be done until we see more of the effects of the raising of pay which has taken place and began to take effect in April. We have only two months' recruiting figures at present, with the figures of prolongation.

Mr. Stokes

Is it not generally agreed in Government circles that it is going to take about a year to get a real appreciation of the effect of these proposals? Has the right hon. and learned Gentleman observed the supposedly inspired articles in the Tory Press about the ending of National Service? Can he say whether they are really inspired or indicate that there is to be a continuing state of dither in the Government mind?

Sir W. Monckton

The right hon. Member can take it from me that at any rate I am not the source of that inspiration. On the facts of the matter I am hopeful that we shall be able to form a better judgment in a shorter period than the right hon. Member suggested in the first part of his supplementary question.

Mr. Allaun

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that the parents and youth of this country have made up their minds that National Service must be entirely and quickly abolished, and that they will not be put off with selective call-up—which is unfair—or any sops of that kind? Is the opposition to abolition coming from within the chiefs of staff, the Government, or the Conservative Party?

Sir W. Monckton

I do not know how far the hon. Member is entitled to give the views of the whole population of young people and so forth. I would only say that that is not the view which has been expressed to me.

Mr. Drayson

While I appreciate that my right hon. and learned Friend is unable to make a statement about a reduction in National Service at the present time, may I ask whether he will undertake to look at the regulations regarding release of Service men to assist with hay making?

Sir W. Monckton

If my hon. Friend wants further information than has been given on that subject, he ought to put down a Question.

Mr. Stokes

Pursuing what I was saying earlier, can the right hon. and learned Gentleman tell the House, for its enlightenment, whether the Government have given any real consideration to a reassessment of the manpower necessary to supply effective Armed Forces, having regard to new weapons? That is what we are all waiting for, but we get nothing whatsoever out of the Government.

Sir W. Monckton

I do not know why the right hon. Gentleman expects to get an answer to that point on a Question dealing with National Service, but I will do my best to get the facts and figures relating to recruitment and prolongation available before the debate.