HC Deb 08 February 1939 vol 343 cc947-8
68. Captain P. Macdonald

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that in the event of an emergency, the Admiralty will take back for active service all naval officers on the retired and emergency lists under a certain age, he will consider the desirability of arranging for the availability of occasional training courses or facilities for such officers; and for obtaining some information as to the experience and activities of these officers since they retired from active service, with a view to ensuring that in the event of their services being required in an emergency, they will be appointed to positions for which their post-naval experience best fits them?

Mr. Shakespeare

Arrangements are already in hand for the training of retired and emergency officers. The experience gained during this training combined with information as to an officer's naval and post-naval records are taken into account by the Admiralty in making appointments.

Mr. C. S. Taylor

Would it not be advisable to submit these officers to a periodical medical examination?

Mr. Shakespeare

In the letter that went out to each officer allocating to him a job he was asked to reply as to whether he was medically fit to take it.

69. Captain Macdonald

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the approximate number of lieutenants and lieutenant-commanders on the retired and emergency lists whom it is proposed should be taken back for re-employment in home service on three-year agreements in the first instance?

Mr. Shakespeare

This is one of several methods by which the Admiralty are meeting the requirements of Fleet expansion, and the number taken must depend entirely on the number of suitable candidates presenting themselves from this and other sources.