§ Mr. David Huntasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out in the Official Report the results of the last quarterly survey undertaken by his Department to assess the attitude of the general public towards the Armed Services and the numbers contacted; and what action he proposes to take on the information so gathered.
§ Dr. GilbertThe results of the most recent quarterly survey of attitudes to the Armed Services show that a high proportion of those approached believe that the Armed Forces are essential and that they offer an interesting career with good pay and a satisfying life. Some had 747W doubts about the length of time for which they believed Service personnel had to sign on and about the possible effects on family life.
About 2,000 people are approached in the inquiry from which the information is derived and the cost of the defence information is about £1,000 a quarter. Over a period the inquiry shows whether changes are taking place in public attitudes to defence and in the attractiveness of the Services as a career. This background information is taken into account with other material in considering publicity, personnel and recruiting policies.