HC Deb 26 January 1955 vol 536 cc28-30W
66. Mr. Wigg

asked the Minister of Defence the number of Regular recruits enlisted in the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force during the period 1st January to 31st December, 1954, together with the comparable figures for 1953.

Mr. H. Macmillan

The following is the reply:

MALE REGULAR RECRUITS ENTERED IN EACH OF THE SERVICES IN 1953 AND 1954
1953 1954
Royal Navy 9,334 8,111
Army 42,680 38,895
Royal Air Force 31,615 27,974
TOTAL 83,629 74,980

Mr. Wigg

asked the Minister of Defence the number of man-years recruited by the Royal Navy, Army and the Royal Air Force, separate figures being given for each Service, in the years 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1954, excluding boys and short-service engagements; and if he will give separate figures to show, respectively, when no allowance is made for National Service and when National Service liability is excluded.

MALE RECRUITMENT TO ACTIVE FORCES IN TERMS OF MAN YEARS (1
1950 TO 1954
INITIAL RECRUITMENT
(Including National Service liability)
Service 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954
Navy 96,000 100,500 113,000 101,000 83,000
Army 120,000 134,500 178,000 137,000 126,500
R.A.F. 106,500 196,000 164,500 140,000 123,500
Total 322,500 431,000 455,500 378,000 333,000

(Excluding National Service liability
Navy 77,500 81,500 93,000 83,500 67,500
Army 86,500 100,000 91,000 72,500 57,000
R.A.F. 69,500 116,500 92,500 84,000 73,000
Total 233,500 298,000 276,500 240,000 197,500

PROLONGATIONS OF SERVICE
Service 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954
Navy 15,500 34,500 18,000 21,500 14,000
Army 25,500 52,000 40,500 48,000 68,000
R.A.F.* (2) 20,000 (2) 65,500 38,500 46,000 45,500
Total 61,000 152,000 97,000 115,500 127,500
(1) The figures given exclude the man-year product of boys and apprentices not included in the effective strength and of men joining the Army on the special Short Service engagements, Types A, B, C, E, K, N, S and T.
(2) Represents best possible estimate.
* Excluding aircrew.

Mr. Wigg

asked the Minister of Defence if he will show under the headings normal volunteers male, volunteers from National Service, part-time National Service, and women, the numbers serving in the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces on 31st December, 1954, the number in each category who carried out training, part-time and whole-time being shown separately and separate figures being given for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, the Army and the Royal Air Force.

Mr. H. Macmillan

I regret that the figures are not immediately available. I am having them collected and will circulate them as soon as possible in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Wigg

asked the Minister of Defence the amounts spent on publicity in connection with recruiting in the years

Mr. H. Macmillan

The following is the reply:

1952, 1953, and 1954, showing separate figures for each year, by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, the Army, the Royal Air Force, and the Ministry of Defence, showing separate figures for each.

Mr. H. Macmillan

The following table shows the approximate amounts spent on publicity, almost all of it on recruiting, in the financial years shown. The figures for the current year are, of course, estimates only:

1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 (estimated)
£ £ £
Royal Navy and Royal Marines 114,000 126,500 120,500
Army 344,500 344,000 354,500
Royal Air Force 245,000 231,000 249,000
Ministry of Defence (nil) (nil) (nil)