TNAG-0538-FCO40-633-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 116

CONFIDENTIAL

3RD DRAFT

48. A review of the TAVR was carried out in 1973-74. The

recommendations of that review, which are now being implemented,

will enhance the efficiency of the TAVR, both in its NATO role

and within its home defence tasks. Outside the context of the

TAVR review, a further two TAVR infantry battalions and two

squadrons of the Honourable Artillery Company are being made

ready for deployment in an emergency to the British Army of the Rhine.

MANPOWER

Service Manpower

49. The raising of the school leaving age had a marked effect

on the recruiting figures for 1973-74, when only 25,800 Service-

men were recruited. There has been some recovery in 1974-

75 when about 35,000 recruits are expected.

Recruitment is,

however, still below the peak of 46,500 Servicemen recruited in

1971-72. Detailed manpower figures are in Annex

7.

Recruitment into the Womens' Services and the Nursing Services

continues to be generally satisfactory.

Civilian Manpower

50. The number of civilian staff for whom provision has been

made in the Defence Estimates on 1 April 1975 is 296,0007,

approximately 3,0007 fewer than the equivalent provision at

1 April 1974. The reduction is largely the result of a short-

fall in recruitment of industrial staff. A further 19,0007

civilians are employed at the Royal Ordnance Factories, and their

costs will be met from the Trading Fund.

II-21

CONFIDENTIAL