HC Deb 29 July 1952 vol 504 c1248
17. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for War the present strength of the Army Officers' Emergency Reserve; and what is being done to encourage further enrolments.

Mr. Head

Three thousand five hundred and thirty-three men and 222 women. I do not think it necessary to enlarge the scope of this Reserve.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all that happens to members of the old Army Officers' Emergency Reserve is that they get a chit once a year asking them to confirm their address—in other words, all the War Office wants to know is whether they are alive or dead: and cannot the Secretary of State find something more useful for this Reserve now that we have, in addition, side by side with the Army Officers' Emergency Reserve the new Army Emergency Reserve with quite different functions?

Mr. Head

I should be only too delighted for men who were in the Army Officers' Emergency Reserve to join the Army Emergency Reserve.