§ 3. Mr. David YoungTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the number of (a) entrants and (b) leavers for each of the services in the latest year available.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement (Mr. Michael Neubert)In the 12 months ending 30 November 1989 there were 6,396 entrants and 7,609 leavers in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines; 22,063 entrants and 25,129 leavers in the Army; and 6,957 entrants and 9,570 leavers in the Royal Air Force.
§ Mr. YoungDo not those figures—coupled with the Statement on the Defence Estimates—show a clear dissatisfaction with life in the forces? Given the current reduction in tension between East and West, would not a more realistic policy be the reduction of arms and personnel rather than an attempt to redeploy the Wrens or to stockpile the successor to Lance?
§ Mr. NeubertI have to listen attentively to the hon. Gentleman when he mentions dissatisfaction in the armed forces, because he was PPS to the last Labour defence Minister, Lord Mulley. At that time—the late 1970s—there were many premature departures as a result of the demoralisation caused by poor pay and conditions and the low priority given to defence expenditure. Under the present Government, with their buoyant economy, the problem of retention is caused by employment opportunities outside the forces, despite the greatly improved pay and conditions.
§ Mr. WilkinsonIn my hon. Friend's review—although he would probably not call it that—of the long-term consequences of any continued outflow of experienced and highly skilled personnel, will he examine the possibility of the reserves—particularly air and naval reserves—playing a much larger part in our defence, especially if the reduction in European tensions persists?
§ Mr. NeubertI assure the House that recruitment is doing rather well. In 1988–89 it was up on the previous year, and the current recruitment year looks set to be better than the last. We are obviously able to recruit large numbers of young men and women to the armed forces. As for the future, we have achieved under this Government a cash settlement for the next three years, an increase of £1 billion in each year, an increase in real terms, and this does enable us to boost measures both to recruit and retain. The reserves are an important factor in our equation, and we shall continue to recruit extra members.
Mr. O'NeillHon. Members on both sides of the House welcome the contribution to be made by women in all three services. Will the Minister tell us, however, what preparations he has in mind to accommodate Mr. Colin Wallace in the armed forces if the Calcutt inquiry finds in his favour? Would it not be simpler to arrange a wider 747 inquiry that would cover all aspects of the matter, rather than dealing merely with the employment rights of one individual involved in the smear tactics of the 1970s?
§ Mr. NeubertTo the best of my knowledge, Mr. Colin Wallace was neither an entrant to nor a leaver of the armed forces in the year ending 30 November 1989. I can suggest only that the hon. Gentleman stays up late tonight and listens to the Adjournment debate on the subject.
§ Mr. David MartinAs my hon. Friend faces the problems of retention, will he always keep under review policy on retirement ages? The royal naval detention quarters at the Portsmouth naval base provide a good example of good service by people who would normally have retired, and I am sure that the services provide opportunities for a much more flexible policy on retirement age generally.
§ Mr. NeubertI welcome my hon. Friend's commendation of flexibility in that regard, as in others. We shall be considering a wide range of imaginative measures to improve our retention rates. We are seeking to improve the quality of life through a major programme of refurbishment of married quarters, and trying to provide better professional job satisfaction by contracting out cleaning and the painting of ships. We are also seeking reduced turbulence in the Army by increasing the length of tours.