§ 6. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the latest figures available for the cost of recruiting a soldier, sailor, and airman; and what steps he is taking to reduce these figures.
§ Mr. PattieI refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 12 June.—[Vol. 968, c.222.] All three Services are currently examining aspects of their recruiting efforts in response to an earlier review. I would like to take this opportunity of paying tribute to my predecessor, the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Wellbeloved) who I know was the guiding spirit behind the recent report on Service recruiting.
Many of the recommendations of that review have in fact already been implemented. In addition, I am monitoring the whole position closely, since this Government are determined to achieve the maximum cost efficiency without prejudicing our ability to meet recruiting targets.