§ 53. Mr. Wiggasked the Minister of Defence whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the information regarding Regular recruitment shown in paragraph 53 of the Statement on Defence, 1956, brought up to date by showing actual figures for 1955–56, and the estimated figures for 1956–57, revised to take into account the recruiting trends disclosed by the actual Regular enlistments in the period April—June, 1956.
§ Sir W. MoncktonRegular recruiting figures for 1955–56 were given in a 1214 return placed in the Vote Office on 31st May. I will, with permission, reproduce them in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The Regular recruiting figures for April and May, 1956, which I have already given to the House in reply to Questions are insufficient data on which to base a revision of the estimated recruiting figures for 1956–57 given in the Statement on Defence, 1956.
§ The figures are as follows:
| REGULAR RECRUITING, 1955–56 | ||
| — | Estimate in paragraph 53 of the Statement on Defence 1956 | Actual figures |
| Royal Navy | 7,500 | 7,214 |
| Army | 34,000 | 34,732 |
| Royal Air Force | 21,000 | 20,079 |
| TOTAL | 62,500 | 62,025 |
§ 54. Mr. Wiggasked the Minister of Defence if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the estimated male Regular strengths of the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force on 1st April, 1960, taking into account the internal and external recruiting trends, including prolongations and re-engagements, shown during the period April—June, 1956, and assuming no further call-ups under the National Service Act take place after 1st April, 1958.
§ Sir W. MoncktonIt is too early yet to gauge the long-term effects of the new Pay Code on Regular recruiting. The assumption in the last part of the hon. Member's Question would add one further uncertain factor to the problem of making an estimate of male Regular strengths of the Forces nearly four years ahead, and I am afraid I cannot attempt such an estimate.
§ 55. Mr. Wiggasked the Minister of Defence whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the male Regular strengths shown in paragraph 54 of the Statement on Defence, 1956, brought up to date by showing actual strengths on 1st April, 1956, and the revised estimate for 1st April, 1957, after taking into account the internal and external recruiting trends, including prolongations and re-engagements, shown during the period April—June, 1956.
§ Sir W. MoncktonThe strength figures on 1st April, 1956, were made available to the House in a return placed in the Vote Office on 24th May, but for convenience I will, with permission, reproduce them in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I hope to give to the House before the summer Recess complete figures of Regular recruiting, prolongation and extension of service for the months April to June, 1956. Even when we have these figures, I do not consider that they will provide an adequate basis for a revision of the Estimates given in the Statement on Defence 1956 of Regular strength on 1st April, 1957.
§ The figures are as follows:
| MALE REGULAR STRENGTHS ON 1ST APRIL, 1956 | ||
| — | Estimate in paragraph 54 of the Statement on Defence, 1956 | Actual strength |
| Royal Navy | 106,500 | 106,604 |
| Army | 196,400 | 198,861 |
| Royal Air Force | 162,600 | 161,732 |
| TOTAL | 465,500 | 467,197 |