§ 42. Mr. F. Longdenasked the Secretary of State for War if he will give an assurance that Reservists serving in the Forces in Korea will be brought back home immediately on the expiration of the term of their service.
§ Mr. StracheyI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence to Questions on this subject on 29th November.
§ Sir Edward BoyleIn view of the rather widespread public concern on this matter, could the right hon. Gentleman try to give greater publicity to the intentions of the Government?
§ Mr. StracheyWe will do everything we can in that direction.
§ 44. Mr. Mott-Radclyffeasked the Secretary of State for War how many Reservists recalled to the Colours in order to proceed to Korea with the 29th Brigade had, at the date of their embarkation, received no training since the end of 1945.
§ Mr. StracheyIt cannot be said, without considerable research, how many of the Reservists sent to Korea had left the active Army before the end of 1945. These men received refresher training after their call-up.
§ Mr. Mott-RadclyffeIf the right hon. Gentleman would pursue his inquiries, would he not agree that there were a number of cases of Reservists who, on reporting to their units, were promptly sent on embarkation leave only to return from embarkation leave a very few days before they actually proceeded with the draft to Korea?
§ Mr. StracheyI cannot guarantee that there may not have been exceptional cases, but the great mass of the Reservists received quite substantial periods of refresher training. I saw them doing it myself.