HC Deb 20 November 1973 vol 864 cc1117-9
17. Mr. Ewing

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement regarding the shortfall in recruits to the forces.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

Recruitment to the Armed Forces has shown a marked downward trend in 1973, compared with satisfactory achievements in 1971 and the first part of 1972.

Mr. Ewing

Can the Minister give me an assurance that the Government have not discussed the possibility of reintroducing conscription to meet the shortfall? To remove all the uncertainty that prevails over the possibility of the reintroduction of conscription, will he make a definitive statement today that the Conservative Government will not reintroduce it?

Mr. Gilmour

I do not agree that there is uncertainty in the country about the matter, but I can certainly assure the hon. Gentleman that we have no plans whatever to reintroduce conscription.

Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles

Does my right hon. Friend agree that one effective way to improve recruiting would be to allow boys to leave school at 15, if they wish, and to continue their general education simultaneously with acquiring their military virtues? Will he have another go at my right hon. and fair Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science to get her to change her mind about the matter?

Mr. Gilmour

It is too early to assess the permanent effect upon recruitment of raising the school leaving age, but I assure my hon. and gallant Friend that we shall review the situation when the normal pattern of school leaving has been re-established.

19. Mr. Cronin

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement indicating the progress of adult recruiting for the Army over the last three years.

Mr. Blaker

After satisfactory achievements in 1971 and early 1972, recruitment to the Army showed a marked downward trend in 1973 and this has continued.

Mr. Cronin

Will this not have a prejudicial effect on the Army's efficiency? May I ask the hon. Gentleman to assure the House that effective measures are being taken to make the Army more attractive as a career for young men?

Mr. Blaker

I assure the hon. Gentleman that present trained strengths are adequate to meet our immediate and long term commitments. As for remedial measures, we shall keep the situation under review. The raising of the school-leaving age, to which my right hon. Friend has referred, is one of the main factors causing the decline, and it is a little early to see what can be done about that.

Mr. Holland

To what extent is this a general Service problem and to what extent is it a purely Army problem?

Mr. Blaker

The problem is more acute in the Army than in the other Services.

Mr. David Clark

If the recruitment shortfall is not arrested, is the hon. Gentleman confident that the British Army can meet its obligations without conscription?

Mr. Blaker

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend has just said on that matter.

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