§ 42. Mr. Joynson-Hicksasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many officers holding extended service commissions in the Royal Navy will be discharged this year; what is their average age and length of service; and whether they will be offered re-employment or training for another career.
§ Mr. W. EdwardsFour hundred and fourteen, whose average age is 29½ years and average length of service as naval officers is about seven years. None of these officers can be offered further naval employment. Some may have rights under the release and resettlement arrangements to apply for help in training for a civil career, and some may avail themselves of the Business Training Scheme. Those who are pilots and interested in a civil pilot's career are being invited to apply to the Ministry of Civil Aviation for employment in that capacity.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksHas the hon. Gentleman considered the possibility of seeing whether arrangements can be made to assist any of these ex-officers towards serving with the Dominion or Colonial navies, or of assisting them to find employment in the only form of work they know, having been in the Navy ever since they left school?
§ Mr. EdwardsI have no knowledge of any vacancies existing in Dominion navies, but I will certainly take up that point.