HC Deb 27 November 2002 vol 395 c325W
Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes that would make Army life more attractive to new recruits were most commonly cited by Army personnel, when last questioned. [82474]

Dr. Moonie

The Army has been conducting the Continuous Attitude Survey (CAS) for over 20 years. It is a valuable tool in understanding the current thinking of Army personnel and is used to help manage retention, exercise duty of care and report on progress with Army and wider departmental initiatives.

The latest survey was undertaken in March/April 2002 and sent to a 4 per cent. random sample of the trained Army (excluding Gurkhas and Full Time Reserve Service personnel); 3,978 questionnaires were sent out.

The following changes were most commonly cited by personnel as having the potential to make Army life more attractive to recruits:

  • Higher pay/better pension
  • Better standards of single accommodation/accommodation in general

Date of sale Description of auction Lot numbers
8 September 2000 Books and maps 69–73, 286–295
9 October 2000 Printed books, atlases and maps 248–275
4 September 2000 Furniture, carpets and works of art 163–164, 180–182
2 October 2000 Furniture, carpets and works of art 194
5 February 2001 Furniture, carpets and works of art 96, 98, 248–250
14 May 2001 Furniture, carpets and works of art, clocks and watches 452–455
25 June 2001 Furniture, carpets and works of art 100
5 November 2001 Furniture, carpets and works of art, clocks and watches 476–484
2 November 2000 Arms and armour, aeronautical automobilia 1246
5 December 2000 Blenheim sale 577
16 May 2001 Good continental ceramics and glass 96–98
21 November 2001 Good continental and ceramics and glass 1 85–86
17 December 2001 Silver and plated wares 37
26 June 2001 Clocks and watches 266–270, 279–282
14 July 2001 Traditional rivercraft and maritime 123
15 August 2002 The maritime sale 2 l–52
9 September 2002 Musical instruments 51–105
1 Could not sell, when by private sale
2 Ships' bells, etc

Total number between 2000–02 = 17