§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a table showing recruitment figures for each of
Royal Navy/ Tri-Service Royal Marines Army Royal Air Force Totals 1969–70 … … 5,418 20,606 8,253 34,277 1970–71 … … 6,361 23,434 9,094 38,889 1971–72 … … 9,175 30,433 6,890 46,498 1972–73 … … 9,329 25,734 3,955 39,018 1973–74 (estimated) … … 6,500 14,600 4,800 25,900 Note:
The figures for the Royal Air Force in 1971–72 and 1972–73 reflect restrictions on intakes.
During the last three months of 1973 the intake of recruits was well below the levels needed. In January there was an improvement, especially in the Army. It is too soon to say whether this was the beginning of a new trend.