§ Mr. Bennasked the Secretary of State for Air if he will publish the latest available figures for organised recruitment, re-engagements, and the signing on for the 3-year period in lieu of National Service to the latest available date and for the comparable period before the pay increases announced in 1956.
Mr. WardFollowing are the figures for the period 1st April, 1956, when the pay increases took effect, to 31st January, 1957, and for the period 1st April, 1955, to 31st January, 1956:—
Ten months to 31st January,1956 31st January,1957 Recruits enlisted on regular engagements:— Men (including apprentices and boys) 16,703 19,209 Women 1,039 1,162 Regular airmen prolonging their service (including re-engaged airmen waiving their option to discharge before the age of 55) 5,671 16,434 NOTE: The number of men enlisted on 3-year engagements was 7,715 in the ten months to 31st January, 1956 and 8,127 in the ten months to 31st January, 1957. These figures are included within the above totals.