§ 1. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Defence, in view of the March recruiting figures, what steps he is taking to ensure that the estimated requirements of the Army, of 180,000 men at the end of 1962, are met: and what estimate he has made of the progress made by the Royal Air Force in meeting its manpower requirements by the same date.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe planned figure for the Army for the end of 1962 is 165,000, although, as was explained in last year's Statement on Defence, units have been allowed to recruit in excess of this figure up to a total ceiling of about 180,000. Recruiting figures for recent months do not alter my opinion that we shall get 165,000 by that date. The R.A.F. should be able to obtain the 135,000 it wants by the same date.