HC Deb 22 November 1949 vol 470 cc170-2
6. Mr. A. R. W. Low

asked the Secretary of State for War how long before the end of their whole-time service will National Service men be told to which Territorial Army unit they will be posted for part-time service.

Mr. M. Stewart

National Service men will normally be told at least six weeks before they complete their whole-time service, to which Territorial Army or Supplementary Reserve unit they will be posted.

Mr. Low

Would it not be a good thing if they were told much earlier than that, and would it not be a good thing if the War Office quickly made up its mind about the Territorial unit to which these men are to be posted, in order that they might tell the Territorial unit itself?

Mr. Stewart

We shall certainly tell the Territorial unit itself within at least six weeks. I am endeavouring to put it at a minimum.

Colonel Dower

Would it not be desirable, if possible, to let them know earlier, so that they can receive training in the technical branch of the Service to which they are to be posted after their National Service training?

Mr. Stewart

Certainly, it is desirable to let them know to which unit they are to be posted.

Brigadier Prior-Palmer

Will the Minister ensure that, as far as possible, these men will be posted to the same arm of the Service as that in which they served their National Service in the Regular Forces?

Mr. Stewart

Yes, Sir, as far as is possible, but the hon. and gallant Member will realise that a good many other considerations will have to be taken into account in determining in what unit a man will serve in the Territorial Army.

Mr. Low

Once they have been told to which unit they will be posted, are they then allowed to volunteer for another Territorial Army unit, or is that option to volunteer taken away from them?

Mr. Stewart

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question on the Order Paper.

Mr. Vane

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether the normal National Service man will be allowed to go to the unit of his choice?

Mr. Stewart

That is not always possible.

7. Mr. Low

asked the Secretary of State for War how many National Service men will be posted at the end of their whole-time service to the Territorial Army; and how many to the Army Reserve.

Mr. M. Stewart

The proportion in which National Service men will, at the end of their whole-time service, be posted to the Territorial Army and to the Army Supplementary Reserve, respectively, will depend, to a considerable extent, upon the response which is made by volunteers for the Territorial Army and for the Supplementary Reserve. Present plans, however, envisage that between 75 and 80 per cent. of National Service men will be posted to the Territorial Army, and the remainder to the Supplementary Reserve.

Mr. Low

In view of the present shortage of volunteers for the Territorial Army—which is likely to continue for at least another year—would it not be wise if a higher proportion than 75 per cent. were posted to the Territorial Army?

Mr. Stewart

It is 75 or 80 per cent., and, as I stated, that figure is subject to modification, in the light of the response to recruiting in both organisations.

Major Legge-Bourke

Would the hon. Gentleman say what proportion of the 20 per cent. which it is proposed to send to the Army Reserve will be men who are known to be going into reserved occupations, and whether those who will be sent to the Army Reserve will normally be men in reserved occupations?

Mr. Stewart

Not necessarily.