HC Deb 27 June 1951 vol 489 cc1345-6
1. Mr. J. Enoch Powell

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what arrangements he intends to make for facilitating the voluntary training of Royal Naval Volunteer (Supplementary) Reserve personnel.

The Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr. James Callaghan)

A number of refresher courses have already been held. These will be extended shortly.

Mr. Powell

Does the Parliamentary Secretary know that a number of men of this force are ex-pilots and observers of the Fleet Air Arm and that they are going to the R.A.F.V.R. because they cannot get training facilities in the R.N.V.(S.)R.?

Mr. Callaghan

Yes, it is a problem, but I hope that before long we shall be able to offer flying training to those officers.

Mr. J. Langford-Holt

Has the hon. Gentleman observed that my hon. Friend called it the "Fleet Air Arm" and not "Naval Aviation." as he insists on calling it?

Mr. Callaghan

Yes, and I am sorry that he has not caught up with the official title.

2. Powell

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will make half-price vouchers available to Royal Naval Volunteer (Supplementary) Reserve personnel for rail travel between their homes and the places where they begin or end periods of voluntary training.

Mr. Callaghan

Members of the R.N. V.(S.)R. who are invited to train by the Admiralty are entitled to rail warrants to cover the cost of the return journey from their home towns to the places where they undertake their training courses.

Mr. Powell

Is it realised that in addition to training undertaken at the request of the Admiralty these personnel undertake a good deal of training voluntarily, and in view of the fact that at least half of them have agreed to undertake service before a general emergency, is it not unfair that they should have to pay the full cost of travel to voluntary training?

Mr. Callaghan

The officers concerned undertake these duties voluntarily. There is no reason why they should be out of pocket. I will consider the point made by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. G. R. Howard

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether these officers will have to wear the new stripe? If so, will they have to pay for it themselves?

Mr. Callaghan

This Question does not ask about that.