§ 31. Mr. Peytonasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied that he will have at his disposal sufficient manpower to fulfil the Government's undertakings to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ReynoldsYes, Sir. I have nothing to add to what I said in the debate last Monday.
§ Mr. PeytonDoes not the right hon Gentleman think that there is any obligation upon him to clear this matter up and explain both to the people of this country and to our allies, bearing in mind what his right hon. Friend has just said, how we will meet the obligations which this Government have themselves accepted? The aims are not clear yet.
§ Mr. ReynoldsI do not believe that the hon. Member was here when I made my speech last Monday. I suggest that, if he reads it, he will see that I referred to four different categories of Armed Forces which would be available and said that there were tens of thousands of men in each category. I am not prepared to go further than that.
§ Mr. RamsdenAre not the Government aware that we do not regard as anything like an adequate answer to a serious manpower situation the statement, which his hon. Friend made, that it was being left to the determination of the Prices and Incomes Board at some indeterminate date? Will Service Ministers turn their attention urgently to this problem, as otherwise we will be very seriously short of men?
§ Mr. ReynoldsWe are well aware of the position in the Services, and I and my right hon. Friend admitted at this Box on Monday that the situation was most unsatisfactory. If people say that pay is one of the matters which will influence recruitment—I believe that it is important—we want to get it right and not just rush in with something.
§ Mr. PeytonOn a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that Reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment as well.