HC Deb 07 March 1951 vol 485 cc409-11
5. Mr. Driberg

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware of the hardship and disappointment caused to men now due for release after long service in the Royal Navy by the notification that they have to serve another 18 months, and that this delay will diminish the prospect of suitable civilian employment for many of these men, now 30 years of age; how many men in all are affected; and if he will reexamine the possibility of lessening this delay by a more economical use of existing manpower or by recalling a larger number of Royal Fleet reservists.

Mr. Callaghan

I regret the disappointment caused to men due for release by the decision to retain them for a further period. So far 5,250 men are affected, and I am glad to say that the decision has been generally understood and accepted. In an attempt to get the best use of existing manpower, training schedules will be overhauled with a view to speeding them up. As far as it is within the power of His Majesty's Government, posts will be kept open for detained men until they are released. It would not make the general position better to alter the balance between recalled reservists and retained men.

Mr. Driberg

When my hon. Friend says that so far as possible posts will be kept open for these men, does he mean that they may be covered by the new legislation dealing with reinstatement in civil employment?

Mr. Callaghan

No, Sir. I was not thinking of that. Many of the men who are retained have no jobs to go back to. These are new posts, and I am thinking of vacancies, for example, in the Fire Service, the Civil Service, the Police Force and local government where we can bring some influence to bear to ensure that posts are kept open.

Commander Noble

While I have the deepest sympathy with these men who are retained, may I ask if the hon. Gentleman agrees that this is a complete indictment of his Government's policy over the last few years in failing to take steps to prevent experienced men from leaving the Service, in spite of many warnings from this side of the House?

Mr. Callaghan

I am not sure that an inquest will do hon. Members opposite much good. I should have thought that part of the reason for this delay was the suspension of regular recruitment during the war years. It is a consequence of that that there are now experienced men with 10 years' service who are wanted for these jobs.

Commander Maitland

In his original answer the Parliamentary Secretary said that he proposed to speed up training courses. Will he assure the House that there will be no sacrifice of quality to obtain numbers, as this would be a most serious price to pay?

Mr. Callaghan

Yes, we must try to speed up training by breaking down courses into sub-specialisation and by trying to ensure that those who use equipment also maintain it.

Captain Ryder

Will the hon. Gentleman examine far more closely all the people who have been called up? The people who are hit by far the hardest are those who, after completing a long term of service, are now being called up for a long time and not for 15 days?

Commander Galbraith

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that large numbers of men have failed to re-engage? Is that not due to the policy adopted by the Government?

Mr. Callaghan

There have been substantial inducements to men to re-engage and come back into the Service, and that is having its effect. As for the other suggestion, it is not the case that large numbers of men have gone out of the Navy. Most of the petty officers we now have are reaching the end of their term of service this year or next year.

Mr. Driberg

When I mentioned the Reinstatement in Civil Employment Bill I was, of course, meaning those probably very few cases where the men have jobs waiting for them. Could my hon. Friend look into that?

Mr. Callaghan

Certainly.