HC Deb 30 November 1964 vol 703 cc6-7
6. Mr. John Hall

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for increasing the present level of recruitment to the Army.

The Deputy Secretary of State and Minister of Defence for the Army (Mr. Frederick Mulley)

I shall continue with current recruiting measures which have succeeded in increasing the other rank strength of the Army, including young soldiers, to 156,980. This represents an increase of over 5,000 in the last 10 months, and the Army's strength is now within 2 per cent. of the 160,000 other ranks at which we are aiming.

Mr. Hall

On the assumption that the Rhine Army is to be increased to its target strength of 55,000, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the present recruiting rate is sufficient to enable us to meet that target or is the target to be met by withdrawing troops from other areas?

Mr. Mulley

The hon. Gentleman is an old enough Parliamentarian to realise that he should not try to anticipate Questions put down by his hon. Friends later on the Order Paper, and therefore I shall leave the question of the Rhine Army until those Questions are reached. I am satisfied that the target of 160,000 men, which was set by the previous Government, will be reached towards the end of next year.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the greatest task facing this country at the present time is the problem of increasing its imports and that to do that we need—[Interruption.]—I mean exports. I am coming to the point which hon. Members opposite will not like. Is he aware that the economic difficulties of this country cannot be solved until we reduce armies, like the British Army on the Rhine, and face our economic problem, which is the supreme task, and we hope that the Government will face it?

Mr. Mulley

The question of the Rhine Army is to be dealt with on a later Question. I am quite sure that we can maintain an Army of the size indicated, although I appreciate my hon. Friend's concern that if we had no armed forces at all then of course we should incur no expense for them. I cannot share that point of view.

Mr. Goodhart

In view of the pre-election and election pledges on increased manpower made by the party opposite, can the Minister say whether increased manpower targets were set at the Chequers meeting, and in view of the fact that his Ministry and the Treasury seem to be pursuing rival defence policies and briefings, can he say whether the Treasury's approval for more men has been obtained?

Mr. Mulley

I think that Questions to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer ought to be addressed to him and not to me. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has already said in reply to several Questions, we are in the course of reviewing our defence policies and requirements, and it would be very premature and unwise to disclose bits and pieces before that review is completed.