§ 22. Sir Jocelyn Lucasasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how long the Royal Proclamation calling out reserves will remain in force, since this precludes payment of the peace retainer to Royal Fleet reservists.
Mr. DugdaleIt is not yet possible to say how long it will be necessary to keep in force the Royal Proclamation calling out the Reserves. The question of resuming payment of retainers to Royal Fleet Reservists who are not called out under the Proclamation is being examined as a separate issue.
§ Sir J. LucasWill the hon. Gentleman consider making these payments retrospective when the decision is made, in order that the detrimental effect will be minimised?
Mr. DugdaleI should require notice of that; I am not quite certain that I could agree to it offhand.