§ 13. Mr. A. R. W. Lowasked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements he has made to check the addresses, present medical categories and present occupations of men on the Class Z reserve.
§ Mr. StracheyThe checking of the addresses and present occupations of men on the Class Z Reserve has been proceeding for some time. It is not intended to carry out a medical inspection before recall.
§ Mr. LowWill the right hon. Gentleman give the House some indication of how far this checking has got? Surely the checking of addresses and occupations is incomplete from his point of view unless it also includes some check on medical categories.
§ Mr. StracheyThe checking of addresses has gone very far, and the checking of present occupations has not gone so far. The addresses have been done first, but it is not intended, even when these checks are complete, to examine medically before calling up. The checking of these addresses does, of course, make the process of calling up smoother and easier.
Mr. Charles Ian Orr-EwingThe right hon. Gentleman says that this has gone very far, but how far has it gone in percentages, and. when will it be complete in view of the great urgency of this matter?
§ Mr. StracheyI cannot answer that without notice.
§ Commander NobleWould the Secretary of State consider issuing some sort of statement explaining how, if an emergency arose, this reserve would be called up and what particular section would be called up first?
§ Mr. StracheyI would have to consult with the Ministry of Labour on that point.
§ Brigadier HeadDoes the Secretary of State think it possible to have a really full re-registration without some appeal going out from the Service authorities, asking men who have changed their addresses to re-register?
§ Mr. StracheyThere is no reason to suppose that the present checking arrangements are not working well.