§ 105. Colonel W. THORNEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a large number of Navy Re- 890 serve men can obtain employment if they are demobilised; if he is aware that a number of one business men are anxious to got back to their own businesses; and if he can state whether there is any real need for such men to be kept in the Navy?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. MACNAMARA)All men due for demobilisaton are dispersed as rapidly as possible. Many naval ships, however, are still required on active service and reserves cannot be released from them without relief. These reliefs can only be active service men from other ships and services which are being paid off from war service. This is a question of time, and my hon. and gallant Friend will agree that it would be inequitable to send active service men straight from war service to another period of two or three years' sea service without leave.