TNAG-0537-FCO40-632-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 91

CONFIDENT I AL

2ND DRAFT

V

1.

MANPOWER AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

The recruitment of adult and young Servicemen, particularly

into the Army, has declined from the peak reached in 1971-72. The

recruitment of Junior Servicemen was severely affected in 1973-74

by the raising of the school leaving age, which cut off

one year's supply of school leavers at the minimum age.

2. It is expected that some 33,000 Servicemen (including

Juniors) will be recruited in 1974-75, compared with 25,800 in

1973-74, the increase being largely attributable to improved recruit-

ment of Juniors following the renewed availability of school leavers

in 1974-75. Since the raising of the school leaving age had a once-

for-all effect, some recovery in the current year was predictable.

Its extent and duration will depend on the attitudes of the later

school leavers, which are at this stage difficult to gauge, as well

as the more general factors affecting recruitment. Recruiting

difficulties have not so far caused any serious overall shortage

in trained strengths.

3.

Recruit wastage during initial training is a matter of some

concern. Work is in progress to improve understanding of this

problem in the Services generally, and to find the most effective

means of reducing it.

4. In addition to the figures in this Chapter, detailed manpower

statistics are given in Annex @.

RECRUITMENT AND RE-ENGAGEMENT DURING 1974-75

OFFICER RECRUITMENT

Royal Navy and Royal Marines

5.

Officer entry into the Seaman and Supply specialisations of the

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CONFIDENTIAL