HC Deb 15 May 1957 vol 570 cc24-5W
36. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will state, on the basis of the rates of long-service voluntary recruitment and re-engagements in the last three years, what increases in the rates of long-service recruitment and re-engagement he requires in the next two years to be able to dispense with compulsory service in 1960.

Mr. Ward:

There are many uncertainties, but the significant improvement in the rate of recruitment to long-service engagements over the past year gives us good reason to hope that we shall be able to build up an adequate all-Regular force (which would include a W.R.A.F. element) by the end of 1962.