HC Deb 20 December 1945 vol 417 cc1531-3
Mr. R. A. Butler

(by Private Notice)asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the House the latest figures of

Releases and Discharges from the Forces and Auxiliary and Nursing Services.
1. — Cumulative figures 18thJune, 1945 to 30th November, 1945.
Service. MEN. WOMEN.
Programme. Releases and Discharges. Excess (+) or Deficit (-) on Programme. Programme Releases and Discharges. Excess ( + ) or Deficit (-) on Programme.
Royal Navy* … 147,000 125,655 21,345 16,330 20,729 +4,399
Army … … 594,000 590,968 3,032 68,500 71,756 +3,250
Royal Air Force … 214,700 238,692 +23,992 51,990 54,744 +2,754
Total … 955,700 955,315 -385 136,820 147.229 +10,409
*The figures for the Royal Navy understate the total number of releases and discharges actually to 30th November. This is because releases are made from ships and establishments dispersal centres and in some cases there is a considerable time lag between the date the date on which the report of the release reaches the Admiralty.

the total numbers of those demobilised from the various Services up to date.

Mr. Isaacs

Yes, Sir.I will, with permission, circulate a full statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The releases for November amounted to 391,086. This is an increase of nearly 111,000 over the October figure. Towards the end of the month releases were proceeding at the rate of 108,000 a week. The total releases from 18th June to the end of November were 1,102,000.

Mr. Butler

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any indication, prior to our reading the long statement, of the rate of the Class B releases, whether they have been very much accelerated?

Mr. Isaacs

Yes, Sir. They have been very much accelerated. The last time I examined the figures they were then running quite on the line of the figure of 10 per cent. allotted to them.

Mr. Stephen

Will the Minister agree that the book he issued in connection with demobilisation might be brought up to date each month?

Mr. Isaacs

I will consider that.

Mr. Molson

Is it the policy of the Government still to retain Class B releases at 10 per cent.? The Prime Minister in his speech referred to 15 per cent. What exactly is the position?

Mr. Isaacs

A final decision has not yet been reached, but we are moving towards increasing the Class B releases to 15 per cent., because byso doing, with the acceleration of the releases in Class A, no hardship is being caused to anybody.

Following is the statement:

2.— Analysis of Releases and Discharges18th June, 1945, to 2,0th November, 1945.
Service. Class A. Class B. Other Releases and Discharges. Total.
  MEN.
Royal Navy … … 105,049 2,800 17,806 125,655
Army … … … 452,830 47,135 91,003 590,968
Royal Air Force … 198,789 17,225 22,678 238,692
Total … 756,668 67,160 131,487 955,315
  WOMEN.
Royal Navy … … 17,695 20 3,014 20,729
Army … … … 60,423 620 10,713 71,756
Royal Air Force … 45,792 297 8,655 54,744
Total … 123,910 937 22,382 147,229
  TOTAL, MEN AND WOMEN.
Royal Navy … … 122,744 2,820 20,820 146,384
Army … … … 513,253 47,755 101,716 662,724
Royal Air Force … 244.581 17,522 31,333 293,436
Total … 880,578 68,097* 153,869 1,102,544
*Individual specialist releases included in the total number 2,706 men and 43 women.
3. — Releases and Discharges during November, 1945.
Service. Class A. Class B. Other Releases and Discharges. Total.
  MEN.
Royal Navy … … 39,733 768 3,418 43,919
Army … … … 175,355 20,542 22,165 218,062
Royal Air Force … 92,259 7,284 4,037 103,580
Total … … 307,347 28,594 29,620 365,561
  WOMEN.
Royal Navy … … 4,127 13 417 4,557
Army … … … 7,912 483 1,629 10,024
Royal Air Force … 9,699 215 1,030 10,944
Total … … 21,738 711 3,076 25,525
  TOTAL, MEN AND WOMEN
Royal Navy … … 43,860 781 3,835 48,476
Army … … … 183,267 21,025 23,794 228,086
Royal Air Force … 101,958 7,499 5,067 114,524
Total … … 329,085 29,305 32,696 391,086
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