§ 12. Mr. Vosperasked The Secretary of State for War the number of former Supplementary Reserve officers who have been recalled to the Colours during the present emergency; and if he is satisfied that liability for this recall was made sufficiently clear upon conclusion of Supplementary Reserve service.
§ Mr. StracheyI am ascertaining how many former Supplementary Reserve officers have been recalled, during the emergency in Korea, on their liability as members of Regular Army Reserves, and will send the information to the hon. Member.
I am satisfied that officers who, at the end of their Supplementary Reserve service, were retained on the Regular Army Reserve of Officers, should have been aware of this liability. It was clearly laid down in the "Regulations for officers of the Supplementary Reserve of Officers" that it was the responsibility of such officers to notify the War Office if they wished to resign their commissions instead of continuing in the Regular Army Reserve of Officers. Further, each of these officers were notified at the end of their Supplementary Reserve service that they would continue to serve as members of the Regular Army Reserve of Officers, of which the Supplementary Reserve of Officers is a part, unless they notified the War Office that they did not desir2 to do so.
§ Mr. VosperWith reference to the second part of the Minister's reply, in spite of the assurances given, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is still doubt in the minds of many of these ex-Supplementary Reserve officers as to their transfer to the Regular Army Reserve? Would it not be of mutual advantage to make it even clearer so as to avoid confusion that occurs when call-up papers arrive for someone who thinks he is fairly secure in civilian life?
§ Mr. StracheyWe write to each of these officers and tell them that unless they notify us to the contrary they are automatically transferred to the Reserve of Officers. I do not know what more definite action we could take.