HC Deb 11 March 1971 vol 813 c578
42. Lieut.-Colonel Colin Mitchell

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will give the breakdown of recruiting figures for the Scottish Division since July, 1970;and if lie will make a statement.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

Up to the end of February, 431 adults and young soldiers and 377 juniors were recruited. While these figures are encouraging, they only slightly outnumber at present the wastage from the Division. I will give the allocation to individual regiments in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Lieut-Colonel Mitchell

While thanking my hon. Friend for that answer, may I ask him what is the future of the company of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, which we understood from him would be expanded to battalion strength within 18 months?

Mr. Gilmour

With respect to my hon. and gallant Friend, he is putting words into my mouth. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] I have never given any such undertaking, though I naturally hope that if recruiting in the Scottish Division justifies it the Company of the Argylls will eventually be expanded into a battalion.

Following is the information:

Adults and Young Soldiers Juniors
The Scottish Division
The Royal Scots 70 54
The Royal Highland Fusiliers 71 64
The King's Own Scottish Borderers 67 50
The Black Watch 84 77
Queen's Own Highlanders 57 54
The Gordon Highlanders 46 40
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 36 8
431 377