HC Deb 14 December 1954 vol 535 cc122-3W
107. Mr. Glenvil Hall

asked the Secretary of State for War to state the highest number now borne by a Service man in the Army; how far any computation has been made of the time and cost involved in their use; and how far consideration has been given to the introduction of smaller numbers and with what result.

Mr. Head

All Army numbers now have eight digits. The reason for this is that we have to avoid issuing the same number twice since we still get inquiries about men who left the Army very many years ago. It is for this reason that the numbers run into millions.

We could save two digits by altering the system and introducing letters as well as numbers. I do not believe that the saving of two digits would be justified in comparison with the very great complications and cost of altering the whole system.