HC Deb 02 February 1955 vol 536 cc112-3W
83. Mr. Wigg

asked the Minister of Defence the number of men who enlisted into the Regular Army and Royal Air Force on three-year Colour engagements, other than short-service engagements, in 1951, and the number who, up to 31st December, 1954, prolonged their Colour service, separate figures being given for each Service.

Mr. H. Macmillan

The number of men enlisted in the R.A.F. in 1951 on three-year engagements was about 23,000. Up to 31st December, 1954, about 800 of these men had prolonged their engagements. The number of men enlisted in the Army in 1951 on three-year engagements (excluding the Army special short-service engagements) was about 1,950. For the reason explained to the hon. Member by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War on 9th December last, I am unable to say how many of these men prolonged their service but I can say that by 31st December, 1954, 779 men serving on this form of engagement had prolonged their service.

84. Mr. Wigg

asked the Minister of Defence if he will divide the figures shown under the heading, "Prolongation of Service," in his table of male recruitment to active Forces in terms of man-years in the period 1950 to 1954, so as to show for each of the years and Service command the length of the original Colour engagement prolonged and the number of men concerned with each engagement.

Mr. H. Macmillan

I am having the information collected and will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available.