HC Deb 20 July 1943 vol 391 cc669-70
13. Sir Robert Young

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the interest aroused among skilled men of various crafts in the formation and status of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers; whether the description "Combatant" implies that the status of the officers will be the same as that of officers of the Royal Engineers, the Royal Corps of Signals and the Royal Army Service Corps; and what is the reason for any difference?

The Secretary of State for War (Sir James Grigg)

The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers is a combatant corps. The status of their officers differs from that of officers of the Royal Engineers, Royal Corps of Signals and Royal Army Service Corps only in that they have restricted powers of command over other arms. In this respect their powers are the same as those accorded to many technical arms, including the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, from which Corps the majority of R.E.M.E. officers are derived. The reason for this is that their tactical training and experience is generally limited because most of their training has necessarily been devoted to the technical duties which they are specially required and fitted to perform.

Sir R. Young

Is it not a fact that the officers of all these corps go through the same O.C.T.U.? Is there a difference of training in the particular O.C.T.U. to which they go?

Sir J. Grigg

I should have thought that there was very different training for the Royal Corps of Signals and the Army Service Corps, and the R.E.M.E.

Sir R. Young

Is there a difference in the O.C.T.U., the Training Corps? Is there a special section for these men?

Sir J. Grigg

If the hon. Gentleman wants to know precise details about O.C.T.U. training, perhaps he will put down a Question. I cannot believe that there is not a completely different training for the Royal Engineers, Royal Army Service Corps and the Royal Corps of Signals, and the R.E.M.E.

Mr. Hopkinson

Is it not a fact that a large number of officers go direct from civil life into the Corps?

Sir J. Grigg

I think that is broadly true.