§ 37. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Defence the total number and the estimated total numbers, respectively, in the Armed Forces, distinguishing between National Service men and Regulars, today, and at 31st December, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, and 1963, assuming that the present rate of voluntary recruitment is maintained and that the remaining call-up notices are issued.
§ Mr. SandysThe strength of the forces at 1st April, 1959, was 411,000 Regulars, 153,300 National Service men, and 14,500 women. Of the Regulars, 64,000 are other ranks serving on engagements of less than five years.
As from the beginning of 1963, our Armed Forces will be composed entirely of Regulars. Provided present recruiting trends are maintained, the target figures for all three Services should be substantially achieved. In the interval, the total strengths will be gradually reduced to the ceilings fixed for the all-Regular forces, and the proportion of Regulars to National Service men will progressively increase.
§ Mr. AllaunHas there not been a big increase in voluntary recruiting which, 190 if maintained along with National Service men, will provide in the next three years more men than were planned for, or are needed; and will the Minister consider relieving these last National Service groups to be caught in the net, either by lessening their two-year period of service or by exempting them altogether?
§ Mr. SandysThe number of people who are called up will, of course, be adjusted to take account of the number of Regulars who are coming in. I would not be prepared to consider any reduction in the two-year period, as that would be uneconomic and militarily inefficient.