§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the total number of recruits to the Armed Forces in the last 12 months to a recent 30W date; how many of these were boy recruits under the age of 18 years; and, out of the 35,000 recruits anticipated for 1969–70, approximately how many boy recruits are expected.
§ Mr. HattersleyThe total number of male other ranks recruited to the armed forces in the 12 months ending 31st December, 1969, was 33,887, of which 11,940 were boys. It is expected that out of the 35,000 recruits estimated for 1969–70 there will be about 12,450 boys.