§ 49. Mr. Austinasked the Minister of Defence what are the categories of ex-Servicemen assumed to be on the Reserve; and at what date it is intended to cease this obligation; and what is the total number of men involved to the nearest convenient date.
§ Mr. AlexanderIn addition to the Regular reservists, who serve for specified periods, all officers and men who have left the Forces under the release scheme are still members of the Reserve. Their liability to recall will continue until the present emergency is declared to be at an end. The date of termination of the emergency has not yet been fixed. The number involved was about 3,900,000 on 30th September excluding those still on release leave.
§ Mr. AustinIn view of the considerable number of men involved, does not my right hon. Friend consider that these men could easily pick up the threads of their duties if there was an emergency, and would he not consider that as an argument in favour of further speedy demobilisation of the present Armed Forces?
§ Mr. AlexanderAll these relevant factors have been taken into consideration.
§ Major Legge-BourkeWould the right hon. Gentleman consider, after the expiration of the period of emergency, [...] king some plan whereby he could call these men to join a special section of the Reserve for a further considerable number of years?
§ Mr. AlexanderI will make a note of the hon. and gallant Gentleman's suggestion.