§ 33. Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office when Class III of the Regular Army Reserve of Officers was instituted; what are the conditions of service; and when officers of Class II are transferred to Class III and under what circumstances?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Duff Cooper)Class III of the Regular Army Reserve of Officers was formed in 1932. Officers (other than those in receipt of retired pay) of Classes I and II who fail to report themselves in writing to the Army Council at the beginning of each year are transferred to Class III-at the end of the year in which they fail to report themselves. Liability for service is unaffected by the transfer, which is carried out with a view to eliminating from the rolls of Classes I and II the names of officers whose services cannot be counted upon in an emergency owing to their whereabouts being unknown.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MOOREWill not my hon. Friend consider verifying in some way the whereabouts of these officers, because many of us who are on the retired list forget to report annually, and possibly it might mean the loss of the services of quite useful officers in an emergency.
§ Mr. COOPERIn an emergency officers who forget to report will remember it.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODAre there any signs of an emergency which would make it necessary to call up unknown officers? Who is the enemy?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise on this question.