§ 16. Mr. Sparksasked the Minister of Labour the numbers of men and women released from the Forces in February, 1946.
§ Mr. IsaacsYes, Sir. I will, with permission, circulate a full statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
1669 The releases reported during February amounted to 363,930. The total number of men and women released and discharged from 18th June, 1945, to the end of February was 2,316,440.
§ Mr. James CallaghanDoes the Minister realise that this will cause some disappointment, because he is about 25,000 below his target figure? Can he say whether he will be able to overtake that 25,000 during March?
| RELEASES AND DISCHARGES FROM THE FORCES AND AUXILIARY AND NURSING SERVICES | |||||||
| 1.Cumulative figures 18th June, 1945 to 28th February, 1946. | |||||||
| Service | Men. | Women | |||||
| Programme. | Releases and Discharges. | Excess (+) or Deficit (-) on Programme. | Programme. | Release and Discharge. | Excess 1 + or Deficit (- on Programme | ||
| Royal Navy | 287,000 | 294,260 | +7,260 | 37.570 | 34,960* | -2,610 | |
| Army | … | 1,400,500 | 1,374,460 | -26,040 | 124,390 | 118,080 | -6,310 |
| R.A.F. | … | 411,050 | 414,230 | +3,180 | 81,280 | 80,450 | - 830 |
| Total | … | 2,098,550 | 2,082,950 | -15,600 | 243,240 | 233.490 | -9.750 |
| 2. Analysis of Releases and Discharges 18th June, 1945 to 28th February. 1946. | ||||||
| Service. | Class A. | Class B | Other Releases and Discharges | Total | ||
| Men. | ||||||
| Royal Navy | … | 255,380 | 10,030 | 28,850 | 294,260 | |
| Army | … | … | 1,144,220 | 98,440 | 131,800 | 1,374,460 |
| R.A.F | … | 347.730 | 35.920 | 30,580 | 414,230 | |
| Total | … | 1.747.330 | 144.390 | 191,230 | 2,082,950 | |
| Women | ||||||
| Royal Navy | … | 30,770 | 160 | 4.030 | 34,960 | |
| Army | … | … | 102,260 | 1,880 | 13.940 | 118,080 |
| R.A.F. | … | 69,590 | 560 | 10,300 | 80,450 | |
| Total | … | 202,620 | 2,600 | 28,270 | 233.490 | |
| Total-Men and Women | ||||||
| Royal Navy | … | 286,150 | 10,190 | 32,880 | 329,220 | |
| Army | … | … | 1,246,480 | 100,320 | 145.740 | 1,492,540 |
| R.A.F. | … | 4I7.32O | 36,480 | 40,880 | 494,680 | |
| Total | … | 1.949,950 | 146,990† | 219,500 | 2,316,440 |
§ Mr. IsaacsAll I can say is that we are working on the law of averages. We hope that we shall be able during March to bring that average nearer to the original figures.
§ Mr. WalkdenCan the Minister say what will happen during April and May? Does he expect to retain the same average?
§ following is the statement:
1671| 3. Releases and Discharges reported during February, 1946. | ||||||
| MEN | ||||||
| Royal Navy | … | 42,830 | 2,680 | 2,400 | 47,910 | |
| Army | … | … | 215,310 | 18,190 | 10,320 | 243,820 |
| R.A.F. | … | 33,830 | 5,820 | 2,270 | 41,920 | |
| Total | … | 291,970 | 26,690 | 14,990 | 333.650 | |
| WOMEN. | ||||||
| Royal Navy | … | 3,630 | 60 | 260 | 3.950 | |
| Army | … | … | 18,140 | 80 | 790 | 19,010 |
| R.A.F. | … | 6,760 | 90 | 470 | 7,320 | |
| Total | … | 28,530 | 230 | 1,520 | 30,280 | |
| TOTAL—MEN AND WOMEN | ||||||
| Royal Navy | … | 46,460 | 2,740 | 2,660 | 51,860 | |
| Army | … | … | 233.450 | 18,270 | 11,110 | 262,830 |
| R.A.F. | … | 40,590 | 5,910 | 2,740 | 49,240 | |
| Total. | … | 320,500 | 26,920 | 16,510 | 363.930 | |
| * These figures include an estimate of 21,500 men and 1,350 women whose release had beer effected at 28th February, 1946, but not yet recorded at the Admiralty, | ||||||
| † Individual specialist releases include 9,400 men and 267 women |