HC Deb 15 March 1961 vol 636 cc1378-9
14. Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent Commonwealth citizens wishing to enlist in the Army can get assistance from Her Majesty's Government in respect of their passage to this country.

Mr. Profumo

A man can enlist only in a British Army Command. But in countries where we maintain staff who can form a preliminary judgment of a man's suitability, we pay the passage to this country of those who are considered to be suitable for enlistment in the British Army when they get here. In other cases the man must come here at his own expense.

Mr. Grimond

In these countries in which there is preliminary examination, is it well known that this procedure exists? In particular, is it well known in the West Indies? Secondly, if the Secretary of State, as he obviously does, wants to get recruits for the Army, would he not be well advised to consider whether more assistance could be given to encourage people from the Commonwealth to come and enlist?

Mr. Profumo

The Question refers to Commonwealth countries, so I do not think that I can deal with the West Indies. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"] I did not know that the hon. Member meant Colonial Territories as compared with Commonwealth Territories. I have answered the Question on the basis that I thought he meant independent countries in the Commonwealth. If he means Colonial Territories, the answer is substantially the same. As far as I am aware, we have not done any particular advertisement in regard to this matter, because every Commonwealth country has its own military manpower problem and we have to look carefully before we attempt to take away people from Commonwealth countries to bolster up our own Armed Forces.

Mr. Mayhew

What inquiries has the Secretary of State made in, for example, the West Indies about the manpower situation there? We are always told that there is extreme unemployment in many parts of the West Indies. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, on the best possible forecast of his manpower and recruiting, there will always be a critical shortage in such trades as cooks, drivers, ambulance men, and so on? Why not take positive steps to recruit in places like the West Indies to get men for jobs of this kind?

Mr. Profumo

I went into this matter, and so did my hon. Friend, in last week's debate and I do not think that I have anything further to add. As the hon. Member has said, it is not simply recruits that we need, but specific types of people who are, if possible, already trained in the trades for which we want them.