§ 2. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Defence if his estimate of 388,000 as the total number required in the Forces when National Service ends in December, 1962, still stands; how he intends to adjust the numbers called up to take account of the number of Regular recruits; and if he will reconsider the need to call up men born in 1939.
§ Mr. SandysIf the hon. Member will refer to paragraph 58 of the Defence White Paper of last year, he will see that the figure he has quoted was not a requirement, but was the upper limit then authorised for recruitment.
As has been the practice hitherto, the intake of National Service men will be kept in line with requirements by adjusting the phasing of the call-up. I have nothing to add to previous statements about the call-up of men born in 1939.
§ Mr. AllaunSince there are today 580,000 men in the Forces, and since the increase in recruiting has been maintained, could not the Minister now announce revised plans and thus end the unsettlement and uncertainty to them and their families?
§ Mr. SandysI do not think there should be any uncertainty. The position has been made quite clear, and I have no reason to suppose that any change is going to be made in the call-up.
§ Mr. ChetwyndAs the call-up is a very hit-or-miss affair between one man and another, would not the Minister con- 412 sider hastening its end by at least six months?
§ Mr. SandysRecruiting is going very well, but I have no reason to believe that it is going so well that we could end National Service earlier than the date now planned.