§ Mr. Richard Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the present level of recruitment to the Armed Forces; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PattieAlthough recruiting to the Armed Forces in the last financial year compared reasonably well with the achievements of recent years, all three Services failed to recruit the increased numbers of officers and Service men they required. This year's requirements are again high. However, I believe that now the Armed Forces have their fully comparable military salary, which will be maintained at the full levels of their civilian counterparts, recruiting rates will improve.