§ 12. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Secretary of State for War what steps are taken to acquaint National Service men, prior to their release from the Regular Army, of their obligations to serve in the Territorial Army.
§ Mr. HeadDuring a National Service man's basic training period one or two lectures are given on the broad outline of the system of National Service. Between his twelfth and eighteenth month of whole-time service he receives not less than four periods each of one hour of more detailed instruction. At the end of 18 months' training he is given a leaflet entitled "Your Service in the Territorial Army or Supplementary Reserve" which tells him of his obligations during his part-time service. I am sending a copy of this leaflet to the hon. and gallant Member.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonWhile thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask if he is aware that many T.A. unit officers complain that these National Service men who come to their units know little of T.A. obligations or of the alternative advantages of voluntary enlistment in the Territorial Army?
§ Mr. HeadI am aware that these things have occurred in the past, and it is because of that very occurrence that the procedure I have outlined has been adopted, and I hope it will not occur again.