HC Deb 20 February 1946 vol 419 cc1139-40
32. Sir John Mellor

asked 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. Alexander

During 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. Mellor

Why cannot those officers who are unlikely to toe reappointed be released forthwith instead of being kept unemployed at the public expense?

Mr. Alexander

They 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-Holt

While 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. Alexander

We 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 in order to release other men who have an earlier claim to demobilisation. We are doing the best we can.