§ 65. Mr. Brewisasked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will postpone any further redundancies among officers and other ranks for six months pending a review of the manpower position.
§ Lord BalnielAs my right hon. Friend indicated last week in another place, the Government's current examination of defence policy embraces both commitments and force structures, and the decisions which are eventually taken may well affect redundancy plans. However, I am convinced that it would be wrong to place a complete moratorium on redundancies. The great majority of the officers and other ranks who are due to leave the Services on redundancy during the next six months are volunteers. Practically all of them were told of their selection at least six months ago, and many will have laid plans for civilian life.