§ Mr. Speedasked the Secretary of State for Defence by what percentage recruiting of ratings into the Royal Navy has been reduced compared with the same time in 1980.
§ Mr. WigginI refer the hon. Member to the latest Ministry of Defence news release of "Service Manpower Statistics", a copy of which is available in the Library. The Royal Navy has cut back the recruitment of ratings during the period April to September 1981, inclusive, by 28 per cent. below the level of the corresponding period in 1980.