asked the Minister for Defence if he will state (a) the number of persons who presented themselves as recruits for the Defence Forces (permanent force) during the period 1st January, 1950, to 30th September, 1950, and (b) the number of such recruits accepted and attested in the same period.
- Army Recruitment.
The number of persons who presented themselves as recruits for the Defence Forces (permanent force) during the period 1st January, 1950, to 30th September, 1950, was 3,083.
The number of such recruits accepted and attested in the same period was 1,608.
Can the Minister give any reason for the turning down of such a high percentage, considering that there is such a need at the moment for an increased Army?
Does the Deputy expect me to give the cause of diseases, misconduct, illiteracy or lack of education? They are turned down for all these reasons. The Deputy sitting beside him will tell him about it.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the number of (a) N.C.O.s, and (b) privates of the Defence Forces (permanent force) who failed to re-attest on the expiry of their current period of service during 1950.
The number of (a) N.C.O.s and (b) privates of the Defence Forces (permanent Force) who failed to extend their service, or re-engage on the expiration of their current period of service during the period 1st January, 1950, to 31st October, 1950, was (a) N.C.O.s, 77; (b) privates, 510.
In addition to this number, three N.C.O.s and one private who were willing to continue in service were not permitted to do so.
The number of (a) N.C.O.s and (b) privates of the Defence Forces (permanent force) who extended their service, re-engaged to complete 21 years' service or were continued in service after completing 21 years' service during the same period was: (a) N.C.O.s, 435; (b) privates, 472.