§ 32. Sir John Mellorasked the First Lord of the Admiralty why W.R.N.S. officers, not required for duty, are frequently sent on leave on full pay for long periods instead of being released from the Service.
§ Mr. AlexanderDuring the early Summer of 1945, a number of W.R.N.S. operational officers became redundant owing to reductions in the Fleet. Some time was necessary before they could be reappointed, during which they were sent on leave. At the present time, only a few W.R.N.S. officers are being sent on leave with full pay, and these remain on call during their leave.
§ Sir J. MellorWhy cannot those officers who are unlikely to toe reappointed be released forthwith instead of being kept unemployed at the public expense?
§ Mr. AlexanderThey have been released as rapidly as possible, but they had to be held at the beginning of the scheme for their age and service group. As a matter of fact, the release of W.R.N.S. is very much ahead of their normal time.
§ Mr. J. Langford-HoltWhile appreciating the right hon. Gentleman's difficulties in this matter, may I ask him if he is aware that the same conditions apply to officers of the Fleet Air Arm? I believe there are large numbers of these officers who at the moment are on permanent indefinite leave with no prospect of returning to the Service before being demobilised.
§ Mr. AlexanderWe cannot interfere with the general arrangement without interfering with the age and service group principle. Those on indefinite leave are due for remustering to different stations 1140 in order to release other men who have an earlier claim to demobilisation. We are doing the best we can.