§ 19. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for War what is the reason for the decline in recruiting for the Army in Scotland.
§ Mr. RamsdenAlthough the number of recruits from Scotland fell between 1962 and 1963, the decline was slightly less than the average for all areas.
In the first eight weeks of 1964, 361 recruits were enlisted in Scotland compared with 371 for the same period in 1963.
§ Mr. HughesCan the Minister explain the trend in recruiting in Perthshire, which is represented by the Prime Minister? Is he aware that after the Prime Minister had made 50 speeches in his constituency the number of recruits was halved, and that in January only four enlisted? Does this mean that the Prime Minister has become the independent recruiting deterrent? How does the right hon. Gentleman explain the situation in the constituency of the Secretary of State for Scotland, where nil recruits were obtained? Is this due to the presence of the Polaris base in Holy Loch, or to the people of Argyllshire trusting to Providence and Providence being handicapped by the Secretary of State?
§ Mr. RamsdenMy original Answer shows the dangers of hon. Members attempting to generalise from one or two examples in Scotland. I would refer the hon. Member and his generalisations to the fact that the whole trend in Scotland is satisfactory. I had hoped that now that the hon. Member has finished one book about one Prime Minister he would have had more time in which to devote himself to helping us with recruiting, in which he has been so successful in the past.
§ Mr. HughesOn a point of Order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I hope to raise the matter at the earliest possible moment in the debate on the Army Estimates.