§ 32. Mr. Pagetasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement on recruitment policy for the Army.
§ Mr. ProfumoRecruitment policy for the Army continues to be the creation of a balanced all Regular force capable of carrying out our national commitments.
§ Mr. PagetAt what point do married men cease to be suitable for carrying out overseas commitments? At what point does the Brigade of Gurkhas cease to be suitable? At what point do various educational standards suddenly become necessary? Surely the right hon. Gentleman's statement is not very satisfactory in view of what is happening?
§ Mr. ProfumoI am sorry that the hon. and learned Gentleman does not find it satisfactory. Our aim is to produce a balanced and well-trained, highly mobile army of the highest calibre. We have reached the stage in recruitment when we can take certain steps to raise our general standards. I believe that those steps will be applauded not only in the Army but by hon. Members on both sides of the House when the Army becomes complete and up to establishment, for we shall then have the best men available. We are recruiting them in the best possible way now and I am convinced that this policy is the right one.
§ Sir J. SmythWhen may we expect my right hon. Friend's statement about the future recruitment of the Gurkhas? Does he realise that, because of the spate of rumours in the Press over the last few days, there is acute anxiety on this matter in this House, in Nepal and in the Brigade of Gurkhas?
§ Mr. ProfumoI appreciate what my right hon. and gallant Friend says, and I know how this House feels about the Brigade of Gurkhas. But I am not yet in a position to say anything finally about it. I hope to be able to make an announcement within the next few weeks. Meanwhile, I hope that people will not take too literally what they read in the newspapers, for which I am not responsible.
§ Mr. WiggDoes the right hon. Gentleman deny that he proposes to reduce the Gurkha force by one-third? Does not he agree that one reason why it is necessary to raise standards in the Army is that some of the services have a wastage of approximately 40 per cent?
§ Mr. ProfumoI am glad that the hon. Gentleman agrees with the steps we are taking in order to bring the all-Regular Army into the right focus. No decision about the future of the Gurkhas has been taken.
§ Mr. F. M. BennettMy right hon. Friend has referred to rumours in the Press about a reduction. Is it not the case that the best way that the Government could get rid of them would be to announce that there is not going to be a reduction?
§ Mr. ProfumoI will answer. If I were to take precipitate action—
§ Mr. F. M. BennettIt has taken one year already.
§ Mr. ProfumoThe House cannot grumble about the Gurkhas if no decision has been taken. This is an extremely difficult matter with the widest possible repercussions, and until the Government are satisfied and ready to take action I cannot do anything just because the papers print rumours.
§ Mr. PagetThe right hon. Gentleman said that we would be delighted to know what he was doing, but we should like to be in a position to judge. When will he, by answering our questions, provide us with the opportunity to judge?
§ Mr. ProfumoThe hon. and learned Member's question to me referred to announcements I recently made about alterations in the requirements for recruits. He now knows what those changes are. First, we shall require two written references instead of one which 445 could be oral. Secondly, by and large we are not going to take married people, except in exceptional circumstances, because too many were being taken on. Thirdly, we are not going to take people who are actually on probation. These are the only new changes in our policy, and I believe them to be right.