HC Deb 16 December 1959 vol 615 cc180-1W
Mr. Pentland

asked the Minister of Defence how many young men between the ages of 18 and 25 years, whose previous occupation was in the coal mining industry in Durham County, have joined Her Majesty's Forces in the years 1957, 1958, and to the latest convenient date in 1959, stating each year separately.

Mr. Watkinson

The numbers of men between the ages of 18 and 25 years who were identified as having been employed in the coal mining industry, and who joined the Royal Navy and the Army at recruiting offices in the County of Durham in each of the three years in question are given below. Figures are also given for the Royal Air Force—for 1958 and 1959—but, as there is no R.A.F. recruiting office in the County, the numbers are of men who had come from the County and enlisted at the two nearest offices at Middlesbrough and Newcastle. I regret that it is not practicable to produce R.A.F. figures for 1957, as the relevant returns have been destroyed.

Royal Navy Army Royal Air Force
1957 10 185
1958 58 294 125
1959 (to 31st October) 21 194 135