§ 1. Mr. Kershawasked the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions he has caused to be issued to members of the forces on support for Government defence policy in order to assist recruiting.
§ 2. Mr. Kershawasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will place in the Library a copy of the letter written by the First Sea Lord in his official capacity to retired naval officers on the subject of supporting Government defence policy and naval recruiting.
§ Mr. HealeyNo, Sir.
§ Mr. KershawNevertheless, does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the catastrophic policy of the Government has caused these bad recruiting figures? What does he propose to do about it?
§ Mr. HealeyThe hon. Gentleman is talking nonsense and he knows it. There has been no change in the trend of recruiting for a long time, but I will tell him what we are doing. As from the beginning of this month, there is a very substantial increase in pay to the Forces, because the Government have decided to honour the commitment under the Grigg Formula—unlike the Conservative Government in 1962. Secondly, we are introducing separation allowances for the Forces. Thirdly, we are reducing the overstretch of our Forces through the decisions we have taken in the Defence Review. All these measures were long overdue.
§ Mr. WallWould not the Secretary of State agree that the Government's defence policy is responsible for virtually ending recruitment for the Fleet Air Arm?
§ Mr. HealeyNo, Sir.