§ 21. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the shortage of personnel in each of the three forces, Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, and the total shortage, at the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. HattersleyThe shortfall of trained strength below requirement at 1st April, 1969, is as follows (rounded to the nearest hundred):
| Royal Navy and Royal Marines | … | 1,600 |
| Army | … | 6,000 |
| Royal Air Force | … | 2,300 |
§ Sir G. NabarroAre there any more recent figures than those for 1st April, 1969, which are nearly 12 months old? What are the plans for redressing this shortfall? Are not the Services, in all conscience, small enough already, without allowing them to shrink still further on account of deficiencies?
§ Mr. HattersleyWe have other figures and an estimate for later dates, but the annual shortfall has always been calculated on that date. It is that date which, in relation to this year and other years, I hope to deal with in the debate tomorrow at some length if I catch your eye, Mr. Speaker. As for methods of redressing the balance, those are, of course, the improvements in our recruiting attitudes, techniques and policies, about which I answered an earlier Question.