§ 29. Mr. Powellasked the Secretary of State for Defence when he now expects that the Army target strength of 181,000 will be reached.
§ 63. Sir T. Beamishasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he still proposes to recruit the Regular Army to 569 his stated ceiling of 181,100; and, in the light of the latest recruiting figures, when he expects this strength to be achieved.
§ Mr. HealeyWe maintain the ceiling of 181,100. On current recruiting trends it should be reached next year but much will turn on the extent to which those now serving renew their engagements.
§ Mr. PowellIs this a target which the right hon. Gentleman intends to revise in the light of his statement of 8th March and other occasions about a reduction in manpower following developments in the Far East?
§ Mr. HealeyThe possibility of reducing the target is of course, open in that respect.
§ Sir T. BeamishIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his refusal either to confirm or to deny the very strong rumours of a cut of 15,000 or so in the overall size of the Regular Army is not only having a deplorable effect on recruitment and re-engagement but is leaving our allies in doubt about our determination and ability to carry out our obligations to them?
§ Mr. HealeyI am not responsible for rumours which circulate but I am glad to say that the May recruiting figures do not bear out the statement made by the hon. and gallant Gentleman.
§ Mr. HealeyNo, Sir, and successive Governments have always felt that the question of re-engagement and prolongation of service is the most difficult question with which they had to deal—more difficult than the recruitment of new members of the Services.