HC Deb 13 December 1967 vol 756 cc419-20
35. Mr. Ginsburg

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why he has introduced a 16-year commission for Regular Army officers.

Mr. Boyden

The introduction of the special Regular commission will achieve three objectives. First, it will offer an engagement which is pensionable but not so long that the officer has to commit himself to a lifelong career in the Army. Second, it will improve the career prospects of officers holding permanent commissions. Third, it places more emphasis on military qualities and rather less on academic achievements; and this will enable us to commission more soldiers.

Mr. Ginsburg

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply. How many officers does he hope to recruit in this way?

Mr. Boyden

We hope that the ratio as between permanent Regular officers and officers holding non-permanent commissions will be 60–40. I do not have the actual figures at the moment.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Is the Minister aware that if he wants to have real confidence in commissioned officers staying in the Army the best way is to have a Government who give at least some assurance to the Armed Forces that they will be adequately equipped and manned to carry out their commitments?

Mr. Boyden

I visit the Army a great deal and I find that there is considerable confidence in the Government. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] The morale of officers and other ranks and the equipment they have are first-class.