HC Deb 27 February 1951 vol 484 cc1888-9
20. Mr. Vane

asked the Secretary of State for War what additional demands on land for training areas during the coming training season will be made as a result of the intended call-up of Class Z reservists.

Mr. Strachey

It is not envisaged that the call-up of Z reservists will necessitate the use of any large areas of land not now used for training, except as provided in Command Paper 7278, but some acceleration in the use of land provided for in that Paper may be necessary.

Mr. Vane

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the interests of agriculture, so that anyone whose land is to be used for training will have the maximum possible notice? In his reply the right hon. Gentleman spoke of large areas. I did not ask about large areas but about additional areas.

Mr. Strachey

I do not think that it will be a large problem. The Class Z reservists who are concerned are going to Territorial camps, and it will only be a larger number of men who will be training in those same camps.

41. Captain Duncan

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the forms of application for marriage allowance now being sent to Class Z reservist officers about to be called up have to be countersigned by the officer's commanding officer; that this may mean that the marriage allowance may not be paid while the officer is in service; and whether he will accept the countersignature of other responsible persons so that the application form can be sent in well before the officer is called for service.

Mr. Strachey

The "notice to join" which will be issued to recalled officers about two months before they are required to report for duty will make it clear that despite the wording of the marriage allowance application forms, no countersignature will be required.