HC Deb 25 March 1947 vol 435 cc1067-8
39. Mr. Snadden

asked the Secretary of State for War in reference to the campaign to attract ex-Servicemen into the Army on a Regular engagement what regulations have been issued to govern the acceptance of former war-substantive warrant officers Class 1; whether he is aware that former warrant officers Class 1, of exemplary character are normally offered re-engagement in the rank of corporal with transference to another corps from that in which they previously served; and whether he proposes to take any action to make such offers of re-engagement less humiliating and more attractive.

Mr. Bellenger

A former soldier, including a warrant officer, who has been released and wishes to re-enlist in the Regular Army, is enlisted in the lowest rank. Before signing on, he is offered the re-grant of the highest war substantive rank, up to that held by him before release, for which there is a vacancy in establishment. If there is no vacancy in his own corps, he may be offered re-enlistment in another corps under the same conditions, except that in this case the re-grant of rank is governed by his experience of the duties of that corps.

As regards the last part of the Question, once a soldier has accepted his release, it is not within my power to guarantee him the re-grant of former rank irrespective of whether vacancies exist or not. Such a guarantee is, however, given to a soldier who, whilst still serving, applies to re-enlist on a Regular engagement, since in this case the vacancy would not have been filled by promotion.

Mr. Snadden

Arising out of that reply, which was rather complicated and difficult to follow, will the right hon. Gentleman look into the case of a young regimental sergeant-major who applied for re-entry into the Army, and was offered the rank of corporal?

Mr. Bellenger

If a soldier pleases himself, goes out of the Army and takes release leave, and then wants to come back, he does not necessarily come back in the same position as that which he left.

Mr. Snadden

But men are being asked to come back.