HC Deb 17 June 1959 vol 607 cc416-7
9. Sir W. Anstruther-Gray

asked the Minister of Defence how many volunteers have been turned away by recruiting officers during the last year because of lack of vacancies in the branch of service or unit in which they are prepared to serve.

Mr. Sandys

These figures are, I am afraid, not recorded.

10. Mr. Chetwynd

asked the Minister of Defence if he is satisfied with the progress made in the recruitment of officers for the Armed Forces; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Saudys

As I have said more than once to the House, I am not yet satisfied with the rate of recruitment of officers. A number of new schemes have recently been undertaken to attract more candidates and to widen the field of officer recruitment, and further action is being considered. I am hopeful that these various measures will produce an appreciable improvement.

Mr. Chetwynd

Why is it that when conditions and pay have improved and the rate of recruiting has increased we are so short of officers? Are not the Service Departments still looking to the same narrow class from which to get their officers? Will they not look much further afield in these modern times?

Mr. Sandys

We discussed that matter fully in our earlier debates. I have already explained to the House that the problem is not to break down prejudice or snobbery in the Army but to interest a wider range of schools in the prospects of a Service career. We are intensifying our efforts to sell the Services to the schools, and I have arranged to speak on this subject to headmasters at their annual conference in September.

Mr. Paget

Is the Minister aware that one of the reasons why we are short of officers is that we are not getting enough officers from that narrow class, namely, the old military families? That is largely because the Government are paying boys' uncles and fathers pensions in dishonest money. When the right hon. Gentleman considers trying to get more recruits, will he consider the effect on recruitment of paying pensions to former serving officers in depreciated money? It is the pensions that have to go up.

Mr. Ellis Smith

And bear in mind how the officers treated us.

Mr. Sandys

As the hon. and learned Gentleman knows, improvements in pensions are being made.