HC Deb 24 October 1950 vol 478 cc2690-1
32. Sir G. Jeffreys

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking towards organising units at home in operational formations; and, with that object in view, for the setting up of depôts or establishments for the elementary training of recruits.

Mr. M. Stewart

Steps are being taken to increase the strategic reserve in the United Kingdom by an armoured division and an infantry division. To perform the training hitherto undertaken by Regular units which are being reactivated from the training rôle and grouped in the new divisions, group training centres are being formed.

Sir G. Jeffreys

Is not the Minister aware that it is impossible for units that are employed at troop training establishments to form efficient parts of operational formations and to be ready for service?

Mr. Stewart

Yes, but, as I pointed out, group training centres are now being formed to fulfil that training rôle in place of the battalions which previously performed it.

Mr. Eden

Will the hon. Gentleman fight a rearguard action against this word "reactivated," which seems to be a new horror in military jargon?

Brigadier Prior-Palmer

Will the hon. Gentleman ensure that the instructors taken to these new training units will not be taken from the units which are now being formed as new divisions, otherwise the situation will be the same as it was before?

Mr. Stewart

There is no escaping from the fact that, since there are a certain number of men to train, a certain amount of manpower must be used.