HC Deb 14 January 1997 vol 288 cc120-1
6. Mr. Jack Thompson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for how many consecutive months up to the most recent month for which figures are available there has been a shortfall in each of the armed forces' manpower. [8976]

Mr. Soames

Up to 1 November 1996—the latest figures available—the naval service has had a manpower shortfall for four consecutive months, the Army for 16 months, and the RAF has been undermanned for 12 consecutive months.

Mr. Thompson

In view of the Minister's previous answers to questions on this matter, has he read the Defence Committee report, which argues that the legacy of undermanning in the Army will affect the Army's efficiency for many years to come? How do our allies in NATO react to such undermanning, given our NATO responsibilities? Is that not an example of ministerial mismanagement and incompetence in defence matters?

Mr. Soames

I know that the hon. Gentleman is one of the poor figures who are snaffled in the Tea Room by the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) and given a question to table. He could not possibly mean that question.

Mr. Foulkes

Withdraw.

Mr. Soames

No, I will not withdraw.

The French have recently announced that they will not only rejoin NATO, but intend to model their armed forces on the British Army. Is that a symbol of our incompetence? All the time we hear that socialist whining and whingeing. The British forces have swept to victory in the Gulf, in northern and southern Iraq, in Angola, Rwanda, Kuwait and the former Yugoslavia, and still the Opposition ask whether our forces are capable of doing the job. Recruiting is a difficult matter. We have serious problems and we are under strength, but we are dealing with it.

Sir Jim Spicer

My hon. Friend will know that, for many years, the Junior Leaders regiments provided not only quality but quantity to our armed forces. Can he inform the House when a final decision will be made to reinstate them?

Mr. Soames

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising that issue. He knows better than most that the supreme quality of the non-commissioned officers in the British Army and the other two services depends largely on the extraordinarily successful Junior Leaders regiments. Everyone regrets that they no longer exist. I am happy to inform my hon. Friend that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will arrive at a decision about the timing of the new arrangements for Junior Leaders shortly.

Dr. Reid

In wishing you, Madam Speaker, and the Minister a happy new year, I must say how deeply Opposition Members regret press reports that the Minister will not be able to defend his record on those issues during the general election campaign because Tory central office has banned him from appearing on television as he is too much of a toff. The Opposition deprecate the politics of envy. Will the Minister defend his record now as he will not be able to do so during the election campaign? Will he confirm that the Government have cut our force levels by one third, have spent £1,500 million doing so, and have ended up short in every service? Is it not true that our forces are under strength and over stretched and that the general election is long overdue?

Mr. Soames

Before reciprocating the hon. Gentleman's new year wishes, I draw your attention, Madam Speaker, to an advertisement that appeared in an impertinent magazine entitled Defence News. It is signed by the hon. Gentleman, who described himself as Minister for the shadow armed forces. In view of those strictures, perhaps you should have a word with the editor of Defence News, Madam Speaker.

The hon. Gentleman's portrayal of the armed forces is a travesty. Everyone knows that we have the best armed forces in the world, although they are over stretched, very busy and have manpower problems. It is a volunteer service and we cannot compel people to join, but we are lucky in that those personnel we have are the best in the world. The hon. Gentleman does them no service by portraying them as he does.