HC Deb 31 May 1961 vol 641 cc14-5W
5 and 6. Mr. Short

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) how many recruits completed three months' training and were posted to regiments and corps during the six months ended 30th April, 1961;

(2) what is his estimate of the average number of recruits needed to complete initial training and be posted to regiments and corps each month to achieve a Regular army of 165,000 men by 1st January, 1963.

Mr. Profumo

During the six months ending 30th April, 1961, 11,329 recruits completed three months' service, and were available for posting to units as required. In order to reach the target, we need about 10 per cent. more recruits from civil life than we got in 1960, other factors remaining unchanged.

11 and 12. Mr. Reynolds

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) how many recruits entered the Army Catering Corps Training Camp in the first four months of 1960 and 1961, respectively; and what percentage purchased their discharge, or were discharged for other reasons, before completing three months' service:

(2) how many recruits were sent home on unpaid leave pending discharge before completing two months' service during the first four months of 1961.

Mr. Ramsden

150 recruits entered the Army Catering Corps Training Centre in the first four months of 1960, and 10.7 per cent. of them were subsequently discharged before completing three months service. Comparable figures for 1961 are 232 and 6.9 per cent., respectively. No recruits were sent home on unpaid leave pending discharge, before completing two months' service, during the first four months of 1961.

Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Secretary of State for War how the number of recruits enlisted in 1959 and since, who have bought themselves out within the first three months, compares with discharge by purchase in the other two services.

Mr. Profumo

The following is the information:

Year Enlisted Discharged by purchase
Army Air Force Army Air Force
1959 17,245 9,985 2,019 254
1960 14,564 7,741 2,027 312
1961 (1st quarter) 4,525 1,695 514 151

NOTE:

In the Royal Navy there is no comparable provision to discharge by purchase within three months of enlistment.