§ Sir I. Fraserasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement on the progress of recruiting for the Royal Air Force.
§ Mr. BirchRecruiting for the Royal Air Force has risen sharply since the increases in pay and improved careers were 149W announced just over a year ago. Men recruited on Regular engagements between 1st October, 1950, and 30th September, 1951, totalled 48,009 compared with 15,428 during the previous twelve months. Corresponding figures for women are 3,911 compared with 2,739 for the previous year.
This upward trend in recruiting, coupled with the retention of Regulars for a longer period than that provided for in the Estimates, will make it necessary to ask the House to approve a Supplementary Vote for number in the current financial year.
While this improvement is very welcome, the need for recruits is still great. Particularly needed are aircrew, and women for the control and reporting system, while junior N.C.O.s and aircraft-men with previous Royal Air Force experience would be a great asset in manning the ground trades.