§ Mr. Trippierasked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken recently to ensure the recruitment and retention of high calibre men and women in Her Majesty's Armed Forces; whether the pool of such applicants is decreasing; and, if so, what is his estimate of the reason.
§ Mr. PattieThe restoration of full pay comparability and the high priority given by this Government to defence has led to a marked improvement in the recruitment and retention of high calibre men and women in Her Majesty's Armed Forces. The numbers of applications to join the Armed Forces increased by 10 per cent. between 1979–80 and 1980–81 and the numbers leaving the Armed Forces decreased by about 10 per cent. over the same period. A few shortage categories remain and recruiting effort is now being concentrated in these areas. From the mid 1980s there will be a sharp decrease in the numbers of young men and women entering the age group from which the Armed Forces recruit and this will make the recruiting of the required numbers increasingly difficult.