§ 3. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Minister of State for Defence what steps he is now taking further to improve recruitment to the armed forces; and how progress in 1971 compared with that of 1970.
§ Lord Balniel1971 will be the best year for male other rank recruiting since 1962. In the twelve months ending November, 1971, we recruited over 45,000 male other ranks compared with 37,500 for a similar period ending November, 1970. For the future we shall ensure that pay and service conditions remain competitive with civilian life, and endeavour to maintain the improvement in the status208W of the Forces which we believe has taken place in the last 18 months.