HC Deb 23 June 1981 vol 7 cc119-20
1. Mr. Ron Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current total strength of the Armed Forces.

The Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mr. Peter Blaker)

The total strength of the Armed Forces on 30 April 1981 was 333,521, excluding locally entered personnel and reserves.

Mr. Brown

That is a large number of men and women engaged directly in the Armed Forces, no doubt due to Government policies. As the Government believe that Tory freedom works, should not that freedom also work for the men and women in the Armed Forces so that they have the right to join a trade union? Should not that suggestion be considered? Is not that right one of the essences of freedom for working people in Britain? Should it not be extended to the Armed Forces, and is not that reform overdue?

Mr. Blaker

That is an old subject, to which the hon. Gentleman knows the answer well. No doubt when he visited Afghanistan he asked the Soviet forces there whether they had the right to join a trade union.

Mr. Buck

Is my hon. Friend aware that the figure he gave in his answer is satisfactory? Will he confirm that recruiting is going well? Will he also accept the congratulations of the House on his first appearance at the Dispatch Box in his new role in the defence sphere?

Mr. Blaker

I am grateful to my hon. and learned Friend for the latter part of his remarks. I confirm that recruiting is going well, and that retention is going especially well. The strength of the Armed Forces is 20,000 above that in April 1979.

Mr. Cryer

Is the Minister concerned about the allegations recently published by my constituent Gunner Andrew Day concerning barrack-room bullies in the Army in Western Germany? The hon. Gentleman received a letter of complaint from me more than a week ago. What does he intend to do about the allegations? Will he undertake a full and thorough investigation and ensure that Gunner Day is not returned to the unit in Western Germany pending that investigation?

Mr. Blaker

That case is being fully investigated and a reply will be sent to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

Mr. Arthur Davidson

Is the Minister satisfied that there is no legal validity in the argument appearing in the "State Research Bulletin", to the effect that The British Army has been living and working in conditions of illegality for more than 25 years. Will he confirm that the five-yearly Armed Forces Acts, the yearly Order in Council and the Appropriation Acts provide proper parliamentary approval and a proper legal basis for the Army's existence?

Mr. Blaker

I am grateful to the hon. and learned Gentleman for raising that point. It is one of the more bizarre allegations that I have seen in recent years. I confirm what he said.

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