§ 31. Brigadier-General Spearsasked the Secretary of State for War by what date all Army Reservists will have received training in the use of new weapons and tactical formations with Regular Army units?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaIt is proposed to train this year a sufficient number of Army Reservists to meet immediate requirements in the event of emergency. The training of further numbers will be for later consideration. May I take this opportunity of recognising that the calling up of Reservists will place certain inconveniences upon industry? His Majesty's Government would like to appeal to employers to assist the training of Reservists by offering them every facility in their power, as they already do generally in the case of the Territorial Army.
§ Brigadier-General SpearsDo I gather that all the Reservists of the Army will be trained in the use of the new weapons this year?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaIt will be quite beyond our capacity to train them all simultaneously. My hon. and gallant Friend will recognise that no training whatever has ever been provided for them in the past, and that we are making a beginning this year, and are going to train 16,000, which will be enough for our immediate requirements. As the years progress, of course, others will be trained.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HeneageMay I ask whether the officers will be given a choice as to the time they are taken on, and whether steps will be taken to ensure that the Reservists can go back to their jobs when the training is over?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaWe are endeavouring to meet their convenience by offering them alternative dates. I have made an appeal to employers to show the same consideration as they have in the case of the Territorial employés, and it would indeed be a scandal if any of these men lost their jobs as a result of doing service for their country.
§ Mr. G. GriffithsIs it not also a scandal if the wives have to go to the public assistance while their husbands are serving?
§ Mr. LawsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are other ranks among the Territorials who might desire to take special courses in order to acquaint themselves with these new weapons, and would he make arrangements for them to take the courses, and also the necessary financial arrangements?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaWe are making various arrangements with regard to Territorial officers, and I have already expressed the hope, earlier this afternoon, that Territorials who wish to make themselves proficient will rejoin the Territorial Army. We are doing as much extra training as we can this year, as I am sure the House will realise, and it would be impossible to widen the scope of our arrangements at this stage.
§ Mr. DuncanWhat proportion of the 16,000 are officers?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThere are 1,000 officers in addition.