HC Deb 27 February 1945 vol 408 cc1215-6
20. General Sir George Jeffreys

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers who are for any reason now unemployed and unlikely to be further employed; and whether he will consider releasing from the Army any such officers when suitable civil employment is open to them.

Sir J. Grigg

Officers and other ranks for whom no further employment is likely to be available in the Army are discharged under the normal arrangements. In the great majority of cases there is a reasonable chance that the officers will be needed at a later date and they cannot therefore be discharged. Moreover, my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion might well be taken as anticipating the operation of the release scheme. The number, which fluctuates from day to day, is not, I regret, readily available.

Sir G. Jeffreys

Will my right hon. Friend answer the first part of the Question, and say how many officers are at present unemployed, with no prospects of getting employment?

Sir J. Grigg

I said that the number, which fluctuates from day to day, is not, I regret, readily available.

Sir G. Jeffreys

What is the object of keeping a very large number of officers doing nothing, on full pay? Is it not desirable at any rate to give them permanent leave, to allow them, if possible, to take up civil employment?

Sir J. Grigg

To say that they are a very large number is rather begging the question. The time will come when officers will be required to take the places of people who are released under the release Regulation and for the expansion of various activities as we go further into Europe. The other point I sought to make is that if these officers are given what virtually amounts to a priority of release from the Army, to take up civil employment, I think it will create a good deal of unrest, which will affect the spirit in which the release scheme will work among the rank and file.