HC Deb 12 June 1968 vol 766 cc211-2
7. Sir A. V. Harvey

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what additional steps are being taken to stimulate recruitment to the Armed Forces.

Mr. Reynolds

We are using all the means at our disposal to explain the revised rôles of the three Services, and why we need large numbers of recruits, emphasising that the Services still offer an interesting, attractive and worthwhile career. I hope that the increase in Forces' pay will help.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that what he has just said is about as useless as it could be? Is he further aware that the recent figures on recruitment are extremely poor? Is he aware that this is brought about by constant changes of policy by this Government and until he can offer young men a tenable career he will not get the right men coming in?

Mr. Reynolds

If we can have the assistance of hon. Members in convincing the general public, careers masters, head masters, juvenile employment officers and others, that there is a worth-while career in the forces, as I believe there is, this will help the position. I am aware of the present position and I am not in any way satisfied with it.

Mr. Maudling

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that the Government decision on pay is disastrous in this context? Is not the total failure to keep faith about keeping comparability with civilian employment bound to have the worst possible effect on recruitment?

Mr. Reynolds

I do not accept that it has a disastrous effect. The interim report by the Prices and Incomes Board is only one of the matters which affect recruiting.

Sir C. Mott-Radclyffe

Would not one method of stimulating recruitment be to cease eliminating those regiments which have the best recruiting records?

Mr. Reynolds

If we are to stimulate recruitment—and we need 35,000 recruits every year—we have to make sure that they go into units which have a worthwhile rôle and not simply maintain units just because they have a long record.