§ 85. Captain Ryderasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the reason for the fall of 50 per cent. in Regular recruiting for the Royal Navy during the last two years; and why recruiting for the Royal Navy during the third quarter of 1950 is less than in the second quarter, although a substantial increase has occurred in the rate for the Army and the Royal Air Force.
§ Mr. CallaghanThe number of Regular recruits accepted for the Navy is limited to the numbers required to maintain the approved strength. In accordance with this policy recruitment was restricted as from the fourth quarter of 1949. Recruiting for the Navy is generally satisfactory and there has been an increase in the number of suitable men applying to reenter. The position of the Navy is different from that of the other two Services whose entries were considerably below their needs.