HC Deb 07 May 1958 vol 587 cc1196-7
13. Colonel Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for War how many recruits have joined the Army in the first three months of this year; how these figures compare with the same period last year; and if he will also give these figures in terms of man-years.

Mr. Amery

In the first three months of this year 6,217 men joined the Regular Army as against 8,997 in the same period last year. But 4,647 of this year's recruits engaged for six years or more, compared with only 780 last year. As a result, there has been an increase in recruiting in terms of man-years from about 30,500 to about 35,000, a rise of some 15 per cent.

Colonel Beamish

Does my hon. Friend feel that all the constructive work in the last three years to try to make an Army career more attractive is at last beginning to pay worth-while dividends, and is he hopeful that the rate will be maintained?

Mr. Amery

These figures are certainly very encouraging, but I would not wish, on the basis of only three months' experience, to give any definite forecast.

Mr. Wigg

Is not the improvement in man-years due solely to the fact that the Government last October took the advice which had been offered to them for many years and got rid of the three-year engagement?

Mr. Amery

I think the fact remains that the three-year engagement was very valuable so long as we had National Service.

Mr. Mellish

Do these figures, if maintained, mean that the target which the Government set for themselves of 165,000 is, in fact, likely to be achieved, or is there to be a great improvement on these figures? Could we have some indication from the long-term point of view?

Mr. Amery

Our view is that three months is much too short a period in which to form a statistical opinion. Therefore, I would not like to give a forecast on that basis alone.