HC Deb 21 November 1979 vol 974 cc223-4W
Mr. Trotter

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current shortage of (a) officers and (b) men for each of the Services.

Mr. Pattie

It is not the practice to give detailed information on manpower shortages. However, recruiting and retention have been improving. Total recruitment for the first six months of the current financial year was 14 per cent. higher than for the corresponding period last year, and the total strength of the Armed Forces at 30 September 1979 was some 4,000 greater than at 31 March 1979.

Nevertheless, the Armed Forces remain below their planned strength and it will be some time before the improvement in recruitment and retention is fully reflected in the number of trained personnel.