HC Deb 02 March 1948 vol 448 cc195-8
29. Mr. Keeling

asked the Secretary of State for War how many buildings required for Territorial or Cadet units, and previously occupied by them, are still in other occupation.

Mr. M. Stewart

Nine drill halls and one hutted camp, previously occupied by the Territorial Army and required for the Territorial Army or the Army Cadet Force, are in use for other purposes. In addition, some 250 permanent staff instructors' quarters are otherwise occupied.

Mr. Keeling

As regards drill halls, does the War Office hope to get them all back this year, and as regards the permanent staff, what is being done to get them other quarters? Do they get any priority?

Mr. Stewart

With regard to the drill halls, two, which are being occupied by the Regular Army will be handed back within the next two months; several others are held by the Ministry of Works and will be handed back in a few months. We are making determined efforts to get out the irregular occupants of the permanent staff instructors' quarters, and we have, in fact, made a number of such quarters available during the past few months.

30. Mr. Keeling

asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of the Territorial Army will go into camp this year; and to what extent employers are giving extra leave with pay for this purpose.

Mr. M. Stewart

I hope that as many volunteers as possible will attend camp this year, but I cannot yet say how many will go. As regards the last part of the Question, no precise information is available, but employers have been asked to follow the example of the Government in the matter of granting extra leave for the period of annual camp.

Mr. Keeling

Can the Minister say whether, not only the Government, but also all local authorities and all socialised industries, are setting a good example by giving extra leave for the whole period of camp, on full pay?

Mr. Stewart

I will bear that in mind.

Mr. Stokes

Is that right or not?

General Sir George Jeffreys

Is the Minister aware that whereas the Government give this leave and set a good example at the expense of the taxpayers, private employers have to do it at their own expense?

31. Mr. Keeling

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the strength in officers and other ranks of the Territorial Army and Cadet Force in comparison with the establishments in each command.

Mr. Michael Stewart

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

COMPARISON BETWEEN ESTABLISHMENT AND PRESENT STRENGTH TERRITORIAL ARMY AS AT 31ST DECEMBER, 1947.
A.A. COMMAND. EASTERN COMMAND. NORTHERN COMMAND. SCOTTISH COMMAND. SOUTHERN COMMAND. WESTERN COMMAND. NORTHERN IRELAND DISTRICT.
MALE. FEMALE.
Officers. Other Ranks. Officers. Other Ranks. Establishment. Officers. Other Ranks. Establishment. Officers. Other Ranks. Establishment. Officers. Other Ranks. Establishment. Officers. Other Ranks. Establishment. Officers. Other Ranks. Establishment. Officers. Other Ranks. Establishment.
1,693 7,571 164 4,348 192,100 1,422 4,378 78,104 805 4,106 68,121 671 3,920 51,610 575 1,750 40,693 1,171 5,087 91,242 74 301 9,550
13,776 5,800 4,911 4,591 2,325 6,258 375
The figures shown for establishments are provisional and include an allowance for the National Service men who are to do part-time service in the Territorial Army.
ARMY CADET FORCE IN UNITED KINGDOM.
EASTERN COMMAND. NORTHERN COMMAND. SCOTTISH COMMAND. SOUTHERN COMMAND. WESTERN COMMAND. LONDON DISTRICT. NORTHERN IRELAND DISTRICT.
Officers. Cadets. Officers. Cadets. Officers. Cadets. Officers. Cadets. Officers. Cadets. Officers. Cadets. Officers. Cadets.
Establishment … … 2,273 39,198 1,975 40,950 1,613 25,621 1,460 23,700 2,499 47,937 691 13,629 200 3,000
Strength … … 1,641 21,155 1,495 20,475 1,048 13,333 1,053 14,960 1,818 20,991 544 8,187 172 2,204
Under Officers … … — 281 — 172 — 93 — 116 — 193 — 68 — 15
The above figures show the position as at 31st July, 1947.
Returns for January, 1948, are not yet complete.
The Establishment figures have since been amended by the transfer of 6,000 to the Junior Training Corps Establishment.
JUNIOR TRAINING CORPS—UNITED KINGDOM. AS AT 31ST JANUARY, 1948.
EASTERN COMMAND. NORTHERN COMMAND. SCOTTISH COMMAND. SOUTHERN COMMAND WESTERN COMMAND. LONDON DISTRICT. NORTHERN IRELAND DISTRICT.
Officers. Cadets Officers. Cadets. Officers. Cadets. Officers. Cadets. Officers. Cadets. Officers. Cadets. Officers. Cadets.
Establishment … … 176 8,700 104 5,850 51 2,580 182 9,240 104 5,490 117 5,910 5 300
Strength … … 137 8,336 80 5,164 42 2,219 155 8,500 78 4,913 91 5,058 5 237