HC Deb 01 May 1951 vol 487 cc976-8
6. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that reservists serving in Korea have been notified that they have been divided into four groups for return to this country, and that the last of these groups will return in December; if he will state the basis on which men have been allocated to the various groups; and if he will give an assurance that the last of them will be home by Christmas.

Mr. M. Stewart

The basis upon which detailed plans for the release of reservists are being worked out in Korea is that those reservists who have completed a total of 12 years combined colour and reserve service shall be returned first, followed by Class B reservists on the basis of length of total service, followed by Class A reservists on the same basis. These principles are, however, subject to the over-riding proviso that the detailed run-out of reservists by units, within the period stated, may be regulated as necessary by the theatre concerned, in order to maintain operational efficiency. As regards the last part of the Question, I regret that no such assurance can be given, since the last reservists are not planned to leave Korea until December.

Mr. Driberg

Can my hon. Friend say whether there is any priority for married men with families in any of these groups? Would it be possible to meet the very natural wishes of the men, and to allay the disappointment felt at home?

Mr. Stewart

No, Sir. We felt that the right principle to adopt was that which I have explained.

Brigadier Medlicott

Will the Minister bear in mind the special case of those reservists who, in the last war, were prisoners of war of the Japanese and see that they are returned home among the very earliest groups?

Mr. Stewart

I do not think we could bring in considerations like that without causing more injustice than we were trying to remove.

Mr. Fernyhough

Is it not a fact that a famous American general promised all the men serving in Korea that they would be home by last Christmas, never mind next Christmas?

Mr. Driberg

Can my hon. Friend say whether the dates which have been given—September, October and November, etc.—are firm dates?

Mr. Stewart

Yes, Sir.

16. Colonel Gomme-Duncan

asked the Secretary of State for War what Scots newspapers, Sunday and weekday, are supplied to British troops serving in Korea and Malaya, respectively.

Mr. M. Stewart

No weekday newspapers are supplied to Korea or Malaya. Sunday newspapers are supplied by the War Office in accordance with requests from Commands. Ninety-seven copies of the Scottish "Sunday Post" are supplied to Malaya; no Scottish Sunday newspapers have been asked for by the forces in Korea.

Air Commodore Harvey

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that what these men really want are additional copies of the "News of the World"?

27. Brigadier Head

asked the Secretary of State for War to state the exact terms of the regulation under which men sent to Malaya may not be engaged in active operations until a certain period of local training and acclimatisation has been completed.

Mr. M. Stewart

No regulations on this subject have been issued by the War Office but it is the policy of General Headquarters, Far East Land Forces, that reinforcements arriving in Far East Land Forces should not be sent on operations before they have been in the Command for four weeks for acclimatisation and for training in the jobs they are likely to do in jungle operations.

Air Commodore Harvey

Quite recently the Under-Secretary of State said he would look into this matter again to see if six weeks could be made the minimum period of training. Has he looked into it yet?

Mr. Stewart

Inquiries on that are proceeding.