§ 5. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for War if he will undertake an inquiry into the economic and social consequences of reintroducing conscription on either a selective or general basis before completing his plans for meeting deficiencies in Army recruiting.
§ Mr. ProfumoIn considering the various courses of action which might be taken to meet such deficiencies, the Government will take into account their economic and social consequences.
§ Mr. AllaunWhile expressing gratitude for that Answer, may I ask the Secretary of State if he is aware that the call-up was highly unpopular and that a selective or limited call-up would be even more deeply resented because, for the unfortunate victims, it would be doubly unfair? If the Government cannot meet their commitments with more than 400,000 Regulars, would not the right course be to cut the commitments?
§ Mr. ProfumoNo, certainly not. I ask the hon. Gentleman to read very carefully what I said to the House in the debate on the Army Estimates last week. There is nothing that I want to add to that.