HC Deb 24 July 1947 vol 440 cc1588-91
53. Mr. Swingler

asked the Minister of Labour, when he expects to be in a position to announce the programme of releases from the Forces in the last quarter of 1947.

Mr. Ness Edwards

With my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I am glad to say that it has been found possible to improve upon the forecast which my right hon. Friend made on 18th March last with regard to the age and service groups which it was then expected would be released by the end of the year. The total number of men and women to be released and discharged during the last quarter of 1947 will be 145,920, bringing the cumulative total since 18th June, 1945, up to 4,881,760. This programme fulfils the Government's stated aim to release in the present year all men called up before the 1st January, 1944, although as in the past, the compulsory deferment of release of individuals will continue, and there will also continue to be some inequality in the rate of release for some Branches, categories and grades in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

I must add a warning that the heavy shipping commitments which will be incurred in the coming months through the evacuation of British troops and their families from India, as recently announced in the House, may affect the complete fulfilment of the detailed pro-

RELEASES AND DISCHARGES FROM THE FORCES
Provisional Programme-October to December, 1947
MEN. WOMEN
PERIOD. Estimated Estimated
Age and Service Groups (Class A releases). Number of Releases and Discharges. Age and Service Groups (Class A releases). Number of Releases and Discharges.
NAVY
(Average) (Average)
1947. Officers. Men.
October Part 65 65 and Part 66 4,500 Part 68 … 150
November 66 Part 66 and 67 5,000 Part 69 … 150
December Part 67 68 and Part 69 5,000 Part 69 … 200
Total: October-December, 1947. Part 65-Part 67 65-Part 69 14,500 Part 68-Part 69 … 500
ARMY.
1947. (Actual) (Actual)
October 59 and Part 60 … 37,760 Part 65 and Part 66 … 2,110
November Part 60-Part 62 … 37,230 Part 66 and Part 67 … 2,030
December Part 62 and Part 63 … 25,910 Part 67 … 1.970
Total: October-December, 1947. 50-Part 63 … 100,900 Part 65-67 … 6,110
R.A.F.
1947. (General Level) (General Level)
October Part 59 … 5,110 Part 61 … 1,610
November 60-Part 61 … 7,310 62 … 1,260
December Part 61-62 … 7.300 63-67 … 1,160
Total: October-December, 1947. Part 59-62 … 19,720 Part 61-67 … 4,030

gramme, though it is hoped and expected that the programme will be generally realised. As my right hon. Friend, the Minister without Portfolio, stated in answer to the hon. Member for Aston (Mr. Wyatt) on 16th July, the Government ate considering the strength at which the Armed Forces must stand by the end of the present financial year, and pending a decision on this it is not possible to indicate any further programme of release at this stage.

Mr. Chetwynd

Could my right hor. Friend say what number will be left is the Forces by 31st December, 1947?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I could not without notice.

Following is the statement:

NURSING SERVICES
NAVY ARMY AIR FORCE
… Age and Service Groups (Class A Releases) Estimated Number of Releases and Discharges. Age and Service Groups (Class A Releases) Estimated Number of Releases and Discharges. Age and Service Groups (Class A Releases) Estimated Number of Releases and Discharges.
Nursing Sisters and V.A.D. Officers V.A.D.s Nursing Officers and V.A.D.s.
1947. (Average) (General level)
October Part 59 Part 64 25 Estimate not yet completed. 56 23
November Part 59 Part 64 25 It will be issued by the War Office as soon as possible. 57 21
December Part 60 Part 64 50 58 13
Total:
October—December, 1947. 59 and 60 Part 64 100 56–58 57