§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what considerations led to the simultaneous recruitment and making redundant of regular military personnel in 1993–94.
§ Mr. SoamesThe manpower reductions under "Options for Change" could not be achieved through natural wastage alone and it was therefore necessary for each of the services to implement a redundancy programme. Over 90 per cent. of those being made redundant have volunteered for selection.
Recruiting has continued throughout the redundancy programme, albeit at reduced levels, in order to maintain a balanced age and rank structure and to meet shortages in certain branches and trades.